Recently I participated in NLA’s first Education Expert Panel Meeting for 2025. It was an engaging and insightful discussion that looked at key themes currently within the education sector, including the reuse / readaptation of existing surplus school buildings, attracting students to campuses and the parallels this draws with workplace design. This extended to looking at how educational institutions could provide greater value to students by focussing on the student experience and connections with the industry. 

The meeting began with a focus on the issue of surplus school buildings, however, the conversation quickly shifted to higher education, whereby a key question emerged: How can we enhance the student experience to create inclusive learning environments that boost attendance and optimise campus use?  This compares the challenge employers face in enticing employees back to the office – drawing parallels between the obstacles in education and workplace sectors.

Our discussion highlighted that students, just like employees, seek spaces that offer more than just functionality. They want environments that foster social interaction, collaboration, and a sense of community. This is where workplace design principles might be able to inform education spaces. For example, coworking spaces have gained popularity by offering flexibility, variety, and opportunities for cross-pollination of ideas. Similarly, university buildings could provide diverse spaces – from quiet study areas to vibrant social hubs – catering to different needs and activities over time.

A synergy between education and industry could also be a tool to create a compelling student experience with initiatives which bring SMEs and students together, establishing opportunities for collaboration and real-world learning, not to mention opening doors for opportunities in the job market. 

One outcome of the meeting was a plan to organise building visits to projects that exemplify adaptive reuse and innovative education design. The case studies we collect will not be limited to completed projects, or London-based examples, as the goal is to learn from a variety of approaches and share best practices that can inform future education projects.

Point Blank Music School, our recently completed project in Hoxton, serves as a compelling case study in creating spaces that students want to use. The retrofit of the Victorian building on Penn Street transformed a former warehouse into a state-of-the-art music college. The design celebrates the building’s historic features while addressing modern needs, such as accessibility and acoustic performance and showcasing the potential for adaptive reuse to create dynamic, multi-functional spaces.

In contrast with some universities which have reported declining lecture attendance, Point Blank’s facilities are in high demand, with students utilising facilities in evenings and weekends. This success can be attributed to several factors including the provision of specialist facilities; an appealing location offering students access to industry networks and live events; a focus on the “student experience” as a critical part of the design, including inherent flexibility and inclusivity.

The NLA Education Panel Meeting reinforced the importance of designing education spaces that prioritise student experience, flexibility, and industry links. As we move forward, these lessons will inform our approach to education projects, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of students and institutions alike.