Designing for Special Education: Best Practices for Special Needs Learning Facilities
As a firm that specializes in education facility design, we understand the importance of creating learning environments where all students can achieve their highest level of potential despite any physical or mental limitations. There is not a one-size-fits-all model; what is a perfect environment for one student, at one time, trying to learn one thing, is certain to be an imperfect environment for another student.
To accommodate the widest possible range of needs, our solution is to design for variety and flexibility. And, no group of students is more diverse than special education students. Learn more about the wide variety of needs for these students, as well as ways their learning environment can be designed to accommodate them in our e-book below.
Philip Riedel, AIA, ALEP, LEED AP
Principal
Philip has dedicated his career to the thoughtful design of educational environments, including a variety of schools that serve students with special needs. He uses education research, classroom observation, faculty discussions, and building science to develop environments that promote active learning and meet the needs of the whole child. Philip is the past president of the Association for Learning Environments, Pacific Northwest Region.
Alyson Mahoe
Research & Experience Development Coordinator
As a member of NAC’s Research & Experience Development team, Alyson conducts in-depth research to expand the firm’s knowledge of the current trends in education delivery, frequently collaborating with design teams to incorporate her understanding of policy, best practices, and innovative thinking into their projects..
