Fōmcore Design Challenge With MeTEOR California Studio: Inside Carrie Bernstein's Vision

We’re thrilled to announce the winner of the Fōmcore Design Challenge with MeTEOR California Studio: Carrie Bernstein!

Carrie, a Senior Interior Designer Team Lead at MeTEOR Education, created a thoughtful and highly wellness-focused design for a middle school wellness center. Her design emphasizes sensory support, emotional regulation, and creating a safe, inviting space where students can decompress and thrive. Let's take a closer look at her design!

A Sanctuary for Emotional and Sensory Support 

Carrie’s design emphasizes the importance of sensory support and emotional regulation within educational environments. Recognizing the heightened stress and anxiety levels among today's youth, her wellness center design offers a multifunctional space equipped with features that help students manage these challenges through physical activity and sensory engagement.

Dynamic Features for Dynamic Needs 

The wellness center includes several interactive spaces that facilitate emotional release and sensory engagement. A standout feature is the rock climbing wall, paired with Fōm mats for safe landings, which allows students to physically exert themselves in a controlled environment. This physical activity is vital for releasing toxins and reducing stress. Adjacent to this, sensory zones equipped with aromatherapy and weighted blankets provide calming stimuli, helping students to ground themselves and manage sensory overload.

Inclusive Spaces for Diverse Needs 

Understanding the diverse needs of students, Carrie incorporated various seating options to cater to different preferences and requirements. From Nest cocoons that offer a private retreat for students needing to calm their nerves, to communal seating areas that encourage social interaction, the design ensures that every student can find a spot that feels comfortable and supportive.

Creative Elements: Bringing the Outdoors Indoors

The integration of outdoor-inspired elements in the wellness center significantly enhances the space's therapeutic qualities. Features like a swing, which offers soothing motion, and a graffiti wall for artistic expression, draw inspiration from the outdoors to create a healing environment. These elements not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the space but also contribute to the students' overall well-being by fostering a connection with relaxing and rejuvinating outdoor experiences. 

Carrie Bernstein’s design for the Oakland Unified School District’s wellness center is a testament to the power of thoughtful, inclusive design in educational settings. By creating a space that prioritizes the emotional and sensory needs of students, Carrie has set a new standard for what educational environments can achieve in terms of student support and wellness. Her work is a brilliant example of how design can transform educational experiences and provide safe havens for students to thrive.