In a very interesting Chronicle blog post yesterday, Mark McVay—design director of the architecture firm SmithGroup—explores the way in which culture affects the public space of a campus. He discusses the challenges of designing university spaces that not only stand the test of time and remain permanent parts of a campus fabric, but that are also adaptable to changing technologies, curricula, pedagogy, and enrollment.

McVay asserts that the current “Millennial” generation is introducing new ways of interacting in and using space and is challenging decades-old planning standards. “The Millennials’ seamless embrace of technology is driving some of the biggest changes. Digital teaching tools are now commonplace. Distance learning now links students and faculty members around the globe. But maybe the most serious consequence of the digital revolution is that it is redefining the social aspect of learning. Millennials take digital technologies and improvements for granted. Chatting, texting, and network-gaming environments create global interaction.”

The impact of these changes on learning spaces is subtle, but significant. Whereas previous generations generally use electronics in solitude, Millennials see them as opportunities for dynamic social interaction. Clusters of students huddle around a computer sharing ideas—approaching full immersion. McVay suggests that the key is simultaneity of input. He writes, “Designing for this generation means providing wireless Internet access and readily accessible power. It means keeping in mind wire management and ergonomics. And it means encouraging changes in behavior that maximize interaction at both the local and universal scales.”

Ultimately, as McVay asserts, these developments give us opportunities to increase the experiential component of learning—and we’ve only begun to scratch the surface.

Be sure to visit the Chronicle of Higher Education for the full article.