How space and furnishings enhance collaboration.

Dr. Frank Reuber, principal of Gießen East comprehensive school, discusses transparent classrooms, flexible learning landscapes, and the impact of modern school architecture on teaching and learning.

Gießen East comprehensive school places a high value on a learning culture that supports and challenges each student individually. What has changed in the daily school routine since moving into the new building?

Students see their new grade-level area as a living space where they feel comfortable and enjoy learning. Our redesigned grade levels allow us to create learning environments through open spaces and flexible elements that support both collaborative and individual learning. The flexible room design also allows for a variety of teaching methods and encourages self-directed and inclusive learning. This spatial openness enables us to make the school day more dynamic and adaptable, positively impacting students’ well-being and enthusiasm for learning.

Why did you choose to abandon doors in the classrooms?

An essential element of a democratic school is transparency. Teachers and students should be able to see and hear each other, which contributes to a respectful atmosphere. Effective acoustics are crucial in this, as sound is directed carefully. We have found that this openness enhances communication among teachers and collaboration among students. The absence of doors promotes natural consideration and helps students see the learning environment as a shared space.

How do architecture and interior design help you better support and challenge the children based on their abilities? Your school offers courses at different levels that students can attend individually. Currently, the redesigned learning spaces with the open learning landscape are used by grades 5 and 6. In grade 5, instruction is differentiated within the classroom, while in grade 6, we offer two levels (E and G) in core subjects like math and English. However, our teaching approach is generally focused on self-directed learning, and the learning spaces greatly support this method. The open and flexible spaces allow students to independently decide how and where they want to learn, which in turn fosters their sense of responsibility and motivation.

One unique feature of these learning spaces is the open common areas, with classrooms arranged around them. How do you use these areas, and how do the children benefit from them?

The layout allows us to divide the grade level areas into a communication zone and a quiet work area. During ILT (Individual Learning Time), students can choose the learning environment that best supports them—whether for collaborative discussion or focused concentration. The open classrooms provide space for both teacher-led instruction and independent work. This flexibility gives students the freedom to select the place that meets their learning needs and actively shape their learning process.

After two and a half years of experimentation, we have concluded that the architecture and interior design not only positively impact our students’ independent learning but also significantly enhance the well-being and motivation of the teaching staff. The open and flexible design fosters teamwork and the cooperation of all involved. The learning landscapes create an atmosphere that encourages responsible, self-directed learning while also strengthening the sense of community. This experience shows us that the design of the school building and learning spaces represents an important step towards modern, future-ready education.