This event aims to develop skills and knowledge of university staff that are involved in, or interested in, the design and development of new classrooms and informal learning spaces on campus. 

Programme

The forum is an intensive five-day design studio aimed at developing a collaborative approach to the creation of new generation learning environments.  Participants will work in small, multi-disciplinary teams on a representative design project reflecting common ambitions and concerns, drawn from the actual campus where the forum is being convened (Thomas Jefferson’s Academical Village).

The Virginia forum will focus on the development of the campus more cohesively to create informal learning environments indoors and outdoors within the possibilities provided in the actual campus landscape.  The University of Virginia presents a wonderful opportunity to engage in creating a modern and effective learning landscape for students and staff in the context of its historical origins as one of the world's most significant campus sites.  The forum programme consists largely of teams working on the small-group design task and will also include 'stimulus discussion' sessions which are intended to provide important input to inform and provoke wider discussion of relevant issues. 

Participants

This year's forum will be unique as it will also involve graduate students in a preliminary 'student design forum' immediately prior to the staff forum.  These students will subsequently be involved in the staff forum enabling an even greater opportunity for a collaborative design process to unfold which represents both staff and student perspectives of the modern campus to be expressed. 

Registration

Places in the forum are limited to ensure that participants are able to develop strong personal bonds with their colleagues during the event, so we urge you to register early (application deadline is 28 August). 

As in previous forums, this year’s Learning Environments Design Forum will be adopting a hands-on, project-oriented approach.  As such, we need to ensure that a wide mix of institutions, professions and experiences are represented.  This means that we may not be able to accept all those who might be interested in attending if this would lead to an imbalance of skills.

Before you register your interest, please ensure you have the support of your home institution. 

Once your registration to the Forum has been accepted, you will receive confirmation, together with detailed information regarding accommodation and programme specifics.  Confirmation and information will be sent to you no later than 11 September. 

Arrival information

Charlottesville airport is served by four airlines (US Airways, Delta, Northwest, and United) with direct service to New York City, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Washington, Detroit and Philadelphia multiple times a day.  The area is also served by Greyhound and Amtrak.  Taxi ride from Charlottesville airport to the conference hotel is about 15 minutes.

The best option is to fly into one of the cities mentioned above and catch a commuter flight to Charlottesville (airport code CHO).  Both Washington (IAD and REA) and Richmond, VA (RIC) airports are approximately 2 - 2 .5 hours drive from Charlottesville and cars can be hired should folks desire to go that route. 

Contact

Should you have specific questions, please contact Lavinia Johns at the University of Virginia.