Medical Faculty News v25i1

Learning Commons The 7,000-square-foot Learning Commons was imagined by its architects as a colourful “learning playground” for future healthcare professionals and scientists. Recognising that learning today extends far beyond the classroom and library, they have created flexible, welcoming spaces adapted to all forms of engagement, whether it is students working alone or in pairs or teams or teachers engaging with groups of students. The large open space is divided into five distinct geometric zones that foster both planned and unexpected exchanges, as well as solitary reflection. The design is inspired by the fluidity of organic forms in microscopic photography and has lots of curved features that provide spaces for different purposes while remaining cohesive. A 40-seat table has varying curved geometry that accommodates individual study, one-on-one interactions, and group work under the light of seven white globes. A long curving, double-sided sofa in deep blue provides comfortable and flexible seating. Dotted around the space are islands of intimate enclosures, while a continuous glass ribbon of warm light wraps around the archipelago. There are also 900 dimmable white globes placed across the ceiling that vary over the course of the day as the sun sets. The Learning Commons also features meeting rooms and a three-stepped wooden mount that leads to an elevated panoramic view of the space and can be used for small presentations and talks. There is also a transparent lecture theatre (Mrs Chen Yang Foo Oi Telemedicine Centre) at the base of a gently sloping green carpet that can accommodate more than 60 seats. 54 Space