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Campus Trends & Storage Solutions

Flex Spaces

Spaces with Ultimate Adaptability

Flex spaces are used for a variety of needs. It creates more efficient space utilization and a longer-term investment for your future needs.

Flex Space Classroom with white boards and TVs

"Storage for a multi-purpose building is a hidden challenge critical to operational success. When hosting reception and social events, curtains, dividers, and furniture must be stored in a convenient, accessible spot."

Table Storage for Banquet facility on compact mobile storage at Tulalip resort and casino

Adaptive Reuse

Adaptive Reuse vs. Building New

Save money on construction costs by adaptively reusing the building, as opposed to building new.  These types of buildings are great for flex spaces to incorporate mobile shelving or even movable walls.

Active Learning Classrooms

Optimizing The Learning Environments for Students

The environment that students are learning in today is changing. According to EAB Facilities Forum Interviews and Analysis, active learning classrooms have a lower average course failure rate and higher average student scores. They also have about 35% more space and 45 seats or fewer which means the space needs to be flexible.

Creating flexibility within classroom space is important as the space needs to be adaptable for different classes and teaching.  The flexibility of movable furniture to movable walls can make this possible. Along with long-term planning and design considerations to move library and archival collections off-site with high-density high-bay shelving and archival storage.

Changing Role of Libraries

We see libraries changing in a couple of different ways. Some Libraries are attempting to make the best of both worlds by keeping books onsite but also trying to free up space to accommodate new study, collaboration areas and makerspaces.

Other Libraries are going all in on adopting a plan to move most of their collections offsite, creating additional space to offer more amenities and an offsite retrieval program.

Depending on the degree of change, with budget constraints to going all in on a move, design considerations could include day-use lockers for students to store their personal belongings temporarily, to custom islands for collaborative conversations and workspaces.  Mobile shelving can open up space and  high-bay archival shelving can be used to preserve your collections while stored offsite.

High Bay Archival Storage System for a College Facility

Continuing Trend of Makerspaces

And Industrial Tech Spaces

Maker Space Storage featuring white shelves with bright green bins

Makerspaces continue to become more mainstream across college campuses. However, the latest technology and equipment required is expensive. To make the most of your investment, considerations of how and where to carefully and securely store your expensive equipment should be considered. Just as important is how and where your students can protect and store their projects. 

Temporary lockers are a great solution to solve both of these concerns. Heavy-duty drawers and cubbies can also provide the protection and organization needed with multiple users. Custom islands with integrated lockers also provide a great workspace solution while also serving as a storage unit. 

There are endless possibilities to create a custom solution that works for your Makerspace members and workflow. 

Beyond Game Day Equipment Storage

Most athletic equipment managers feel the same pain of expensive equipment getting lost, stolen, broken and having to be replaced every year. The solution to avoid these problems is as simple as the athletic storage. Mobile high-density storage systems from Spacesaver allow you to customize each compartment to ensure all of your equipment is stored safely and securely, protecting your investment and your players.

Athletic hanging rail compact storage showing red and black coats hanging on two levels

Blurring Lines in Purpose of Buildings Across Campus

Enhancing the Student Experience

Campuses are no longer strictly dividing academics, living space, and meeting space. The concept of “third space” now resides within other types of spaces, not just on it’s own. 
 
These blurring lines in space and purpose can improve space utilization and the student experience. However, it can also cause a challenge as to where and how you store equipment or offer collaboration areas and personal storage. 
 
Our years of experience allows us to consult and help you plan those spaces by effectively using space and providing the best student experience possible.