RESEARCH|Education
2025 THELEARNINGCONTINUUMADAPTIVE2025 THE LEARNINGCONTINUUM ADAPTIVE
A practical guide to creating 21st-century learning environments within 20th-century school buildings by applying the Learning Continuum, strengthening the “active core”, and retrofitting for multimodal teaching and learning.
Insight
Most schools are teaching 21st-century learners in 20th-century curricula and 19th-century structures. Learning has shifted, technology “just is”, and space must evolve accordingly. The Adaptive paper shows how to translate the Learning Continuum into existing stock so every student benefits and buildings gain longevity.
Key take-aways
Why adapt existing buildings
Historic standards and small cellular classrooms lock schools into instructional modes. Adapting enables contemporary pedagogies, with evidence of 7–8% higher student results in modernised, stimulating environments, alongside better health and attendance.
From flexibility to adaptability
Flexibility relates to the “hardware” of space — the built form that supports multimodal elements. Adaptability is the “software” — fixtures and furnishings that shift in real time to suit evolving needs, making spaces efficient and personal.
Design for multimodal learning
Plan for multiple people types, media and delivery modes, from individual to large-group scenarios, so space cues behaviour rather than prescribing it. Teacher capability and training are essential to unlock these environments.
The active core
Introduce a permeable “active core” that meanders through existing structures, tying spaces together, concentrating resources, lockers, recharge points and social nooks, while improving sightlines and collaboration.
Three common retrofit situations
The paper provides scenario options for:
- Single-loaded corridor: remove the corridor and integrate circulation into learning spaces.
- Double-loaded corridor: open classrooms to each other and reclaim wasted space.
- Courtyard buildings: reconnect inside to outside and activate circulation.
Worked scenarios
Illustrated schemes show how integrating studios, project spaces, breakout and outdoors increases usable area and enables team teaching and inquiry-based learning.
Sustainability and wellbeing
Adaptive reuse preserves identity and embodied carbon, improves air quality and daylight, and can deliver economic benefits versus rebuilds.
Mobile resources
Cart-based, shared kits free rooms from fixed equipment, increasing flexibility, with clear trade-offs in storage and scheduling.
AT A GLANCE
Purpose: apply the Learning Continuum to existing buildings so space becomes an implicit curriculum that supports contemporary pedagogy.
Results and implications
Purposeful adaptation, not 1960s open-plan repetition, creates integrated, engaging spaces supported by contemporary technology. Training ensures teachers fully leverage new settings. Schools gain sustainable, future-ready environments with improved legibility, social connection and opportunities for team teaching, inquiry and outdoor learning.
DOWNLOAD THE FULL PAPER
Get the complete publication including retrofit scenarios for single-loaded, double-loaded and courtyard blocks, active core diagrams, and guidance on flexibility and adaptability.
