Designing With Students in Mind: A Partnership that Built a Flexible Learning Hub
Discover how a traditional school library became a vibrant, flexible learning hub: built in partnership with a community recovering from the Creek Fire. This session highlights the collaboration between Smith System, Darden Architects, and Tangram to transform the Sierra High School space through intentional co-design with students, educators, and community members. The result is an adaptable student-centered environment that supports focus, collaboration, creativity, and belonging. Attendees will gain a co-design framework for creating meaningful, community-driven learning spaces.
Speakers
Emily IslipSmith System
Tasha O’NealTangram Interiors
Leslie RauPrincipal/Interior Designer, Darden Architects
Kristi ShanahanRegional Sales Manager, Smith System
More Information
Allow Registration:No
Capacity Unlimited:No
Indicate how the topic is applicable to Health, Safety, Welfare (HSW) Design credits.:Design and Planning: Building design, site planning, and interior design.
Learner Engagement:This session showcases the partnership between Smith System, Darden Architects, Tangram, and the district, highlighting co-design with students and educators. To model learner engagement, the session uses adult-learning principles in an active learning classroom layout furnished with the same products used in the project—featuring hands-on activities, small-group discussion, and interactive spatial exercises beyond lecture-style delivery.
Learning Objective 1:1. Recognize the Role of Space in Community Resilience Participants will understand how thoughtfully designed learning environments can support healing, belonging, and renewal in communities impacted by crisis.




