Photo: The Design for Learning Co-Lab aligns with EDmarket’s mission to unite education leaders, architects and designers, facilities managers, dealers, and manufacturers in building innovative, research-driven learning environments. | Photo Credit: EDmarket
By Lindsey Coulter
At a Glance: Design for Learning Co-Lab
- What It Is: A research-driven initiative by EDmarket to reimagine learning environments through evidence-based design and cross-sector collaboration.
- Purpose: To connect educators, designers, and industry leaders with the tools, research, and strategies needed to create future-ready learning spaces.
- Core Activities: Learning programs, research projects, publications, awards, and symposia that amplify evidence-based knowledge and foster professional exchange.
- Guiding Principles: Grounded in scientific integrity, innovation, curiosity, respect, and joy—focused on what works in real-world learning environments.
- Target Audience: Educators, A&D professionals, manufacturers, researchers, and change-makers committed to transforming educational spaces for today’s learners and tomorrow’s needs.
GAITHERSBURG, Md. — The Education Market Association (EDmarket) has officially launched the Design for Learning Co-Lab, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reimagining educational spaces to better serve today’s students and future generations. The effort is led by Senior Fellow Dr. Lennie Scott-Webber, alongside Associate Fellows Jolene Levine and Dave Broz.
The Design for Learning Co-Lab aligns with EDmarket’s mission to unite education leaders, architects and designers, facilities managers, dealers, and manufacturers in building innovative, research-driven learning environments.
“The goal of the Design for Learning Collaboratory is to become a trusted, curated place to find ideas, evidence, and trends all purposefully shared to contribute toward a future-ready experience for all learners in which every learning place and learning experience is shaped by the evidence of what works,” said Scott-Webber in a statement.
Backed by government partner Sourcewell, project sponsors VS America and KI, and strategic partner Classroom Reimagined AI, the Co-Lab connects cutting-edge research with real-world applications to create transformative learning experiences. By fostering a common vocabulary and uniting stakeholders across disciplines, the Co-Lab aims to shape spaces that support physical, psychological, and emotional student needs.
The Co-Lab’s foundation rests on the last five years of research, which confirm that physical environments play a critical role in student learning outcomes. Despite this, many classrooms still feature outdated designs with rigid, row-by-column layouts and passive instruction models. The Co-Lab seeks to change that by providing tools and evidence-based strategies for educators to maximize student success through space design.
“We empower and enable educational change makers with the evidence and tools to create transformational, future-ready learning environments — today,” the organization said in a statement. “Our mission is to empower and enable educational change makers with the evidence and tools to create transformational, future-ready learning environments — today.”
The initiative will roll out a suite of programs and offerings, including learning opportunities, research projects, publications, symposia, and awards. Each is designed to amplify knowledge, foster collaboration, and engage the global education community in reshaping how and where students learn.
The Co-Lab encourages educators, innovators, and organizations to get involved. Opportunities include partnering on research and publications, volunteering for events or initiatives, and supporting programs that drive real change in educational design.
To learn more, connect with the team, or get involved, visit edmarket.org/DesignforLearningCoLab.