Specifications

Learning Spaces Guidelines
Generic Guidelines: 10
If the space cannot be adequately naturally ventilated to maintain
a comfortable learning environment then a mechanical air handling
system and/or air conditioning may be required. Controls for air
conditioning are notoriously complex and therefore clear instructions
should be produced and positioned alongside the controls. The
merits of providing end user controls versus not providing end user
controls is included in the guidelines for specific types of learning
space.
The lighting design in learning spaces should provide enable
presenters and students to see (in the case of learners primarily for
note taking) and be seen. Care should be taken over the placement
of luminaires in relation to projection and/or writing surfaces. A
common mistake is the positioning of a luminaire directly above
the projection surface which results in uneven image contrast.
Illumination of writing surfaces should be as even/flat as possible
to avoid legibility issues. When rooms are being refurbished
consideration should be given to the feasibility of relocating
inappropriately located luminaires.
Learners using tablet computers for note taking can experience
harsh reflections from certain designs of modular recessed
fluorescent luminaries due to the horizontal angle that tablets are
used at. Therefore care should be taken in selection of luminaries
that use indirect illumination and the use of mirrored diffusers should
be avoided if possible.
Low energy lamps that require more than 10 seconds to reach
maximum brightness are not suitable for usage in learning spaces
due to the likely need to regularly change between different lighting
states within a taught session.
Luminaires specified for new or refurbished learning spaces should
give high frequency (no flicker) light output. General area lighting
should have a colour temperature proximate to daylight (>5000ºK)
whereas with breakout or small group learning spaces consideration
should be given to having a directional pendant that focuses warmer
(≤3200ºK) light on the centre of the discussion area.
Feature lighting is desirable to include within the lighting scheme if
the design of the space can be planned to include it. An example of
successful feature lighting is the recessed strip lighting featuring the
riveted steel beams in the Foster Court Basement PC Cluster.
TASK
Air handling
and/or air
conditioning
2.04
TASK
Lighting
2.05
Reference
“Indirect lighting, while
uniform, can also be
monotonous, lacking
shadow and contrast.
Accent lighting on
display areas or white
boards enlivens a space.
Recessed cove lights
or pendant mounted
directional fluorescents
provide accent and task
lighting efficiently.”
http://www.designshare.
com/Research/Lighting/
LightingEnvr1.htm