In Spring 2023, the project team initiated a series of outreach sessions with broad constituencies within the college. That data will be collated, confirmed and verified with appropriate stakeholders with the intent to produce initial recommendations in Fall 2023.
The first phase of the project will be to engage key stakeholder and user groups in dialog about their goals and needs regarding their physical environments, and to address any concerns they may have about the objectives of the space planning initiative or the proposed methods of data collection. Initial conversations with students and faculty took place in April 2023. Conversations with staff and administrators will take place in Summer 2023. Stakeholder engagement will continue throughout the initiative and will include multiple opportunities for input to processes as well as feedback on outcomes and proposed policies.
The second phase of the project will involve collecting primary and secondary data related to space utilization, traffic flows and usage variance throughout the day. The project team will be considering options for adding to the data already available, and subject matter experts and stakeholders will provide input on all data collection methods in advance of implementation. Data collection is planned for Spring and Summer 2023.
The results of this study will give College administrators a more thorough understanding of current space utilization and will identify opportunities for improving the efficiency of our existing space allocation. Potential challenges with accessibility, congestion and capacity will be examined across the College, and cost-effective solutions will be recommended based on best practices in functional design from around the world. When space modification is required, prioritization and potential funding over future years will be incorporated into the college’s comprehensive capital planning program that is directed by two board committees – Facilities and Environment, and Finance.
The chief benefits of data-driven space planning are obvious: the ability to accommodate students, faculty and staff in the current educational and work environment, and to provide baseline data for future consideration of these environments as academic and workplace trends evolve. From large lectures to intimate labs, presentations to guest speakers and gatherings of all sizes, marrying form and function into an intentional space planning strategy makes for more immersive learning opportunities and a more engaged community. Increased utilization of our existing facilities allows the college to better allocate financial resources to both existing and future needs and initiatives.