RIFFE HALL - THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
Columbus, Ohio
CHALLENGE
To reimagine traditional educational space constraints by creating a highly adaptable learning environment that empowers pharmacy students and faculty to seamlessly transition between pedagogical approaches while supporting diverse learning styles and technological innovation.
SOLUTION
Our design team implemented a comprehensive spatial strategy centered on flexible infrastructure that responds dynamically to varying educational needs. The 150-person classroom incorporates folding partitions that enable rapid reconfiguration from lecture hall to collaborative workshop spaces, while carefully selected mobile furniture allows users to instantly adapt the environment to specific learning activities.
A distinctive carpet pattern serves as an intuitive wayfinding system, subtly guiding users through different potential room configurations without the need for explicit instructions. This visual coding becomes part of the space's educational language, making complex transitions feel effortless and intuitive. Advanced audiovisual and information technology systems are integrated throughout, creating a seamless digital infrastructure that supports innovation in teaching methodologies.
Beyond the classroom itself, our intervention reimagined circulation patterns throughout two floors of the Riffe Building, creating new dedicated entries that separate library and classroom traffic flows. This thoughtful reorganization significantly reduces noise disruption while increasing the functional capacity of both spaces. The renovation expands educational possibilities with new private study rooms and conference spaces that support both focused individual work and collaborative engagement.
IMPACT
The transformed space has become a catalyst for pedagogical innovation within the School of Pharmacy, earning recognition in their Decade of Achievements publication and establishing a new benchmark for active learning environments across The Ohio State University campus. Students and faculty consistently identify it as their preferred teaching and learning environment, citing how the space's responsiveness to different instructional approaches enhances educational outcomes.
By physically embodying the principles of adaptability and user empowerment, the classroom design has contributed to the evolution of pharmacy education methodology, supporting the school's growing programs and strengthening its competitive position. The project's success has inspired plans to replicate its innovative approach across additional campus locations, extending its positive impact on the educational experience of future generations of students.
