Blog

Welcome to "Inside the Install" at General Shafter Elementary, where we delve into the transformation of the school's media center, known as "The Bobcat Den." This redesigned space is crafted to ignite curiosity and enhance the love of learning. With natural design elements, a variety of seating options, and innovative features like a book vending machine, The Bobcat Den is not just a room, but a hub of exploration and discovery.

We are excited to celebrate Carrie Bernstein, the winner of the Fōmcore Design Challenge, for her innovative design proposal aimed at transforming a middle school wellness center within the Oakland Unified School District. As a Senior Interior Designer Team Lead at MeTEOR Education, Carrie has skillfully envisioned a space that transcends traditional aesthetics to deeply address the emotional and sensory needs of students.

Designing an effective learning environment involves more than just selecting desks and chairs. Subtle elements such as color and lighting can significantly influence students’ ability to focus, stay engaged, and learn. Studies have shown that specific color schemes and lighting choices can impact students' mood, energy, and even cognitive performance.

Classrooms are no longer confined to rigid rows of desks and a single chalkboard at the front. Over the years, educational spaces have evolved significantly, with a shift toward more dynamic, flexible, and student-centered designs. This transformation is driven largely by a deeper understanding of how learning environments impact student engagement, collaboration, and well-being.

In today’s education landscape, the concept of student agency is gaining significant attention. But what does it really mean, and why is it becoming a priority for educators, administrators, and school designers alike?

As classrooms evolve to meet the social and emotional needs of students, tools like calming corners have become more prevalent in helping students manage stress and emotions throughout the school day. These spaces provide a dedicated area for students to take a moment, regulate their emotions, and return to class with a renewed sense of focus and calm.

Kids Belong, established in 2013, strives to support youth aging out of foster care in West Michigan by offering them a stable first step towards independence. Recognizing the significant hurdles these young adults face, Kids Belong provides them with their first apartments where they can learn to budget, pay rent, and build credit in a supportive environment...

The Day Dreams Foundation is dedicated to eliminating financial barriers that prevent children from participating in extracurricular activities...

Tommy DePriest was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in the fall of 2022 when he was just 9½ years old. Since then, he has undergone a stem cell transplant, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments...

In my school design work, I always spend time in the school’s spaces when no one is present. I want to see how and what the school’s spaces communicate on their own without people present. Almost all of the classrooms I visit reflect that the space is the teacher's domain, with desks facing forward towards the front of the room, with a technology display and a teacher's desk...