GatherED

GatherED will investigate how the translation of learning theories into building design can improve students’ learning in a 5th-8th grade school. The design focuses on promoting students’ wellbeing and social learning grounded in the theories of Peripheral Participation and Communities of Practice. Though the program of this building is not much different overall from that of a typical middle school, significant changes occur in the way spaces are grouped together to align with learning theories and prioritize connections across different learning space and across grade levels. Additionally, this school design investigates how different shared social and learning spaces can serve multiple purposes throughout the day and year. This project rethinks school design to allow students to learn in the ways that work best for shared learning and social growth and the outcomes of this project are intended to inform how to better design new elementary and high schools as well and even help to renovate existing buildings to better meet the needs of all students.