Design for Education

Part of the Gensler Monograph series, Design for Education is a timely survey of modern learning environments—from universities to primary schools. Introduced by Andrew Blum, a contributing editor at Metropolis, the book focuses on education’s need for facilities that effectively support learning and accommodate growth and change over time. At a time when the education sector in developed countries is dealing with new budget realities, the book considers alternatives such as building repositioning and multipurpose, 24/7 facilities. In high-growth developing countries, it looks at the new campuses of international institutions. Seventeen case studies provide a detailed survey of the education sector’s current range of facilities. For each project, the case studies document client intent, design response, key features, and highlights of actual or expected performance. Fully illustrated, the book serves as a guide to the state of the art of academic facilities for a range of pubic and private institutions.


Education institutions are typically long-lived. Even when they are brand new, they reflect a tradition that impels them to secure their future. This makes them natural advocates of sustainability and stewardship. Their focus on learning makes them aware of how the design of the physical environment supports it. These traits make education institutions ideal clients—knowledgeable, intellectually engaged, and highly collaborative. As architects and designers, Gensler is interested in how buildings and settings enhance performance.