STUDENT SOCIAL SPACE UPGRADE (SFU Burnaby)
Executive Summary
Student social space across campus needs upgrading. To understand how these spaces should be
upgraded, four typologies of student social space were developed organized by the dominant
activities in the spaces: Study, Social, Assembly and Casual. By categorizing the type of space
by its characteristics, design strategies to guide the upgrade of each type of space were
determined. Using these strategies, specific interventions in upgrade projects can be planned to
support the activities in the lounge.
Outside of the library and residences, there is estimated to be over 5,000 sq. m. of student social
space, of which about 80% is in common areas. The spaces are assessed to be in varying states of
physical condition but in all cases, they need to be modernized to suit new patterns of use.
The report recommends that multi-year capital funding be allocated for a Student Social Space
Upgrade Program, aimed at completing upgrades of at least 2 significant social spaces per year.
To protect this capital investment, as well as recognizing the community building benefits of
involving the wider community, the report also recommends that a stewardship program be
created involving student groups, facility managers, and in the case of departmental spaces,
administrators. Feedback from students will be welcomed through regular polling of students as
various lounges are upgraded.
The hope is that through this program, the student social spaces will be progressively upgraded
and a process for continuous improvement will ensure the social lounges are vibrant places at the
heart of student life.
Campus Planning & Development
Facilities Services
Simon Fraser University
April 2007
STUDENT SOCIAL SPACE UPGRADE
Introduction
The objective of this project is to improve student social space on campus. To do this, Campus
Planning & Development undertook to review the student lounges to answer some key questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How have the activities in student social space changed?
What are the new typologies for student social space?
How much student social space is there on campus?
What condition are these spaces in?
How can they be improved?
This report will discuss these questions and look at some of the planning issues around student
social spaces and come up with design recommendations for a master program for how student
social spaces should be designed and planned.
A second part of this project is focused on implementation of these recommendations. Several
social spaces are selected to develop designs and budgets assigned for each of these sample
locations. These budgets will help guide the development of an annual budget that will continue
to improve student social space over time.
Changes in student social space
SFU Burnaby is made up of interconnected buildings linked by multiple circulation routes that
weave the campus together. Student lounges are located off these circulation routes and become
distinct gathering places that catalyze student social interaction along these corridors. As in many
universities across North America, these student lounges have all experienced significant
changes due to three main areas:
ƒ
Cultural changes
The activities that occur in lounges and study spaces have merged into “social study
space”. The migration of study into lounges has occurred as students today are used to
multi-tasking and often prefer to study in lounges where they are not isolated, but rather
surrounded by or adjacent to a variety of outside stimulus. This means more and more
study is actually done in social settings rather than in closed off cloisters and library
carrels. In addition, an increasing number of group assignments in coursework require
team workspace. Since team space is rarely available, lounges act as these group
workspaces. These factors have combined to blur the distinction between social lounges
and study spaces.
ƒ
Technological changes
With a wireless campus, activities in student lounges include not only social exchange
with peers, but also include course research and doing course assignments accessed
through the wireless network. One visible effect is the natural gravitation of furnishings
to locations of power outlets, as students prefer to plug in their laptops. Another
Campus Planning & Development
Facilities Services
Simon Fraser University
April 2007
consequence is the increased need for horizontal work surfaces in lounges, as students try
to balance laptops, books and papers on their laps at the same time.
Many lounges also serve as informal (or semi-formal) presentation spaces either by
student groups holding DVD screenings or TV programming on Friday afternoons, or by
presenters using portable projectors and screens.
This growing diversity of activities has to be met by existing social spaces that were
generally not designed for this technology.
ƒ
Student Experience
If social interactions are what build a vibrant and strong campus community, then the
settings for these social interactions also need to support community building.
Universities want their student lounges to be well used and cared for as they are tangible
signs of an underlying campus ecology that is also strong and healthy. The renewed
emphasis on enhancing student experience has reinforced the need for upgrades to social
space to meet the expectations of students today.
Defining and measuring student social space
Based on the changing activities in lounge/study spaces, the working definition of student social
space used in this report is as follows:
Student social spaces are places where socializing and/or study occur in a relaxed setting that is
not rigid and where a variety of social activities may co-exist with study and coursework. These
social spaces are primarily in common areas, but also include spaces that are departmental
controlled.
The total area of student social space is summarized in the table below (see appendix A for
further detail on data):
Departmental student lounge space
829.73
18%
General lounge space
2,371.13
46%
General university study space
1,852.34
36%
5,153.2
100%
Additional Notes:
ƒ Not included is study/lounge areas within circulation areas, which could account for an
estimated 5-10% of the campus circulation area to total student social space. Based on
78,236 sm. of circulation space, this is an additional 390 – 780 sm. of student social
space.
ƒ There is approximately another 3,250 sq. m. of library study space as well as 1,650 sq. m.
of student lounge space in the student residences not included in the above summary.
Inclusive of these areas, the total for all student social space is approximately 10,500 sm.
Although the definition of social space in this report breaks down areas slightly
Campus Planning & Development
Facilities Services
Simon Fraser University
April 2007
differently from standard format used by the Council of Ontario Universities (COU), it is
worth noting that the standard for Common Use and Student Activity Space (COU
Category 14) is to apply a space factor of 0.5 to 0.7 NASM per FTE student. Based on the
approximately 17.000 FTEs on Burnaby campus, between 8,500 sq. m. to 11,900 sq. m.
of student activity space would be required i.e. the space allocated to student social
activities appears to meet COU standards.
ƒ This initial lounge upgrade project is aimed at improvements for social space in public
areas, so the study areas in the library and lounge areas in the residences have not been
included in this study.
Summary:
ƒ Of the total student social space, approximately 85% of this is in public areas, with the
remaining 15% in departmental student lounge spaces.
ƒ Departmental student lounge spaces are typically smaller spaces and dispersed
throughout various buildings.
Campus Planning & Development
Facilities Services
Simon Fraser University
April 2007
Typologies of Student Social Space
The following typologies are proposed to group the types of activities in student social spaces:
Types of Space
Characteristics
Furniture Suggestions
A. STUDY
Dedicated, away, quiet
spaces, longer periods,
solitary
Gathering, flexible,
changeable, small group
discussion
Individual study carrels, counters
with high stools facing out allowing
individual study
Group study tables for 4-6 people
(round or rectangular), stackable
seating. Armchairs and ottomans on
casters. Comfortable sofas in
conversation groupings. Coffee and
end tables for writing surfaces.
Furniture has to be assembled and
disassembled to be put away for
storage, portable stage might be
used, chairs have to be stackable for
storage, power and AV
Bar height counters, stools, bench
type backless seating
B. SOCIAL
C. PUBLIC
ASSEMBLY
Multipurpose, town
square, large group
presentations
D. CASUAL
Perching, edges of
circulation routes,
transient, casual meetings
Notes
below
1
2
3
4
Every lounge space may have any of these activities, but typically, each lounge is clearly
characterized by activities in one of these main groups.
Additional Notes:
1. Study spaces focus on individual study in the traditional sense, solitary, serious work
time, as in writing papers or at exam times.
2. Social spaces are multi-functional and generally, students studying in these spaces can
tolerate a higher level of noise and social interaction. Students want to pull the chairs
over to form clusters for informal group discussions. They also need ample horizontal
work surfaces to put laptops, backpacks, papers as well as coffee cups and food.
3. Assembly spaces are larger multipurpose spaces used for studying, group work and
general social gatherings. The spaces can also be booked by departments such as Student
Services for university wide special events. Furnishings need to be “portable” so that they
can be disassembled and put away for the event, or if staying within the space, need to be
suitable for reconfiguring to suit the event. Study carrels are usually moved out to the
corridors to set up tables and speaker podium. These all have to be dismantled and the
study carrels re-set up following the event, so setups and take downs need to be staged.
4. Casual spaces are transitory in nature, chance meetings, or stopovers while waiting for
class. These spaces are changeable and active.
Campus Planning & Development
Facilities Services
Simon Fraser University
April 2007
Existing Condition of Student Lounges
An informal condition assessment was done in 3 ways: as a visual survey of lounges, by
collecting feedback from members of Young Alumni, and gleaning information from the survey
of Faculty and staff conducted online by Facilities Management, December, 2007.
Although the report originally planned a survey of students to collect students’ input on the
condition of student lounges, this survey was put aside to a later date. The conclusion was that
since there is already general agreement and evidence of the issues and it would be more useful
to collect input and feedback after a few lounges have been upgraded. A poll to invite student
feedback on lounge upgrades is now planned into the new Campus Planning and Development
website.
1. Visual surveys of lounges
Several visual surveys were made on several occasions with various Facilities staff. The
consensus from these surveys was that the lounges are badly in need of upgrading .
Among some of the obvious issues were torn or stained upholstery, inadequate lighting,
heavy furniture that were dragged over the vinyl floor by students, etc. A photo
documentary was taken to document the conditions on each occasion.
2. Feedback from Young Alumni Association
The Young Alumni’s Association is made up of recent graduates from the Faculty of
Business. The alumni contacted the university Alumni Affairs Officer, Faculty of
Business in November 2006, and expressed an interest in participating in fundraising for
improvements for student lounges at SFU Burnaby campus.
Campus Planning & Development met with alumni members on December 19, 2006
(slides presented at meeting attached in Appendix). The alumni provided this feedback by
email on February 5, 2007 outlining what they felt were high priorities for improving the
lounges (email excerpt below):
The highest priorities are:
- group space is needed more than further individual study space
- additional electrical outlets are critical for students (far more than decorative
elements)
- furniture that provides more support & comfort than is currently on campus (the
cement benches with cushions are strongly discouraged)
Other input included these comments:
- would like to see a more "west coast" feel (i.e. cork floor, cement columns treated to
look reminiscent of tree trunks, current plants replaced with bamboo, etc.)
- low tables are important as currently students have to balance laptops, books, etc. on
their laps
- couches and comfortable chairs should be considered which would also entail storage
space for when the lounge is used for events
- for the area outside of the Science rooms, ventilation needs to be improved as the
smell is horrible.
Campus Planning & Development
Facilities Services
Simon Fraser University
April 2007
3. Survey of Faculty and staff conducted online by Facilities
Management
Facilities Management conducted a survey in 2006 to collect feedback on the upkeep and
condition of campus facilities. This survey was directed only to Faculty and staff, but
some useful information on the social space can still be garnered from the results, as
follows:
ƒ Improve the lighting in the hallways and study carrels
ƒ Paint and clean up areas to refresh spaces
ƒ Use more color to add interest
ƒ Increase recycling and garbage containers and empty them more
ƒ Convert unused circulation corridors to social spaces
4. Meetings with Departmental Administrators
In the spring of 2007, Campus Planning staff met with various administrators for the
departments adjacent to some of the student lounges and obtained feedback on how their
specific lounges functioned and what might make these spaces work better. The
comments were then incorporated in the design analysis of each lounge and helped frame
the program for upgrades that were planned for each space.
Campus Planning & Development
Facilities Services
Simon Fraser University
April 2007
Factors affecting Condition of Lounges
Like all public spaces and other common areas, student social spaces rely on the community to
take pride in the spaces and help steward the upkeep of the spaces. The following strategies for
the student lounges are adapted from 11 Steps for Public Places (PPS) 2000, a program
developed by urban planner, William H. Whyte. The 11 steps have been reframed to apply to
student social spaces. (Refer to www. pps.org for more information on the Public Places
Program):
Strategies
a. The Community is the Expert
b. Create a Place not a Design
c. Look for Partners
d. Observe how the spaces
function
e. Have a Vision for the Social
Spaces
f. Experiment in small ways
g. Plan spaces “intentionally” to
“triangulate” activities
h. Expect challenges
i. Form follows Function
j. Money is not always the Issue
k. You are never finished
Campus Planning & Development
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Steps to Take
Ask and collect feedback from the students on
what they feel is important. Collect feedback
from Facilities staff on security, maintenance.
Ensure the place is welcoming and comfortable,
introduce management changes to develop
effective relationships between activities.
Consult with Young Alumni, Facilities
Management key personnel, departmental
administrators, Student groups, etc.
Continue monitoring to observe how the spaces
are being used (or not used) and evolve and
adapt.
Keep a clear vision of what lounges are to the
campus and what the image is about
Experiment with small changes can be
accomplished in a short time such as seating,
artwork, lighting, etc. to test what works.
Intentionally place features to create
opportunities for social interaction e.g. put
seating, vending machines, newsstands together
No one is the “keeper” of a public space.
Develop and nurture community responsibility.
Discuss and problem-solve to overcome
barriers.
Look for the form (not the design) that supports
the functions
Furnishings, plants, etc. are inexpensive
improvements with big impact. Involving
students and partners in programming can also
reduce costs. It also creates enthusiasm and
costs are viewed more broadly in relation to
overall benefits.
Be open to the need for change in strategy as
needs change over time; have a flexible
management to make the changes when required.
April 2007
Conclusions
Students want changes in their social space. They want flexible furniture that is comfortable and
more writing surfaces. There is a strong desire for group spaces, whether these are spaces that
can be reserved (as common in some universities) or informal group spaces, where students can
configure furniture to suit their groupings. Many students want to plug in their laptops so
providing more electrical power outlets wherever feasible is desirable. Other physical changes
include introducing more colour to brighten up the spaces and improving lighting. Operationally,
a higher level of maintenance e.g. increased frequency of emptying of trash receptacles and
increasing the number of trash and recycling receptacles will help keep the lounges clean.
The idea of creating a stronger sense of place by “theming” each lounge differently was
supported by the Young Alumni and might be worth exploring further.
Next Steps
This report has attempted to describe the student social spaces that exist and some of the factors
that will affect their ongoing success. The report has also created a list of the social spaces and
their locations (see appendix). Some of the larger student public social spaces are noted below:
Building
Academic Quadrangle
Robert C. Brown
Transportation Centre
Shrum Science buildings
Maggie Benston Centre
Applied Science building
West Mall Centre
South Science Building
TASC 1
TASC 2
Room Locations
All floors, multiple locations
703.1 and .2 and 730.3
3000, 3013, 3014
B710, B903.1, C903.1,K850.1,7640
3901
900, 970.1, 970.2 and 970.3
1200, 1500, 3420, 3430 and 3440
8115
Levels 7, 8 and 9, multiple locations
7301
The total area identified as Student Social Space is 5,153 S.M. (2006 figures).
It is proposed that the University embarks on a program to implement upgrades to the student
spaces over a 5-year program. A suggested budget of $250,000 should be allocated annually to
fund the program of renewal for all student social spaces. Smaller lounges and study spaces
adjacent to the major spaces should be upgraded at the same time whenever possible to
maximize impact and benefits.
This report has included departmentally controlled student lounge spaces as it was felt there was
a strong cross-connection with the common area student lounges and study spaces. However, this
departmental control naturally creates a stronger sense of responsibility by individual staff
members generally leading to facilities that are better kept up. Therefore, common areas (nondepartmentally controlled) should be prioritized for upgrades over departmental space.
To build a stronger sense of ownership and communal responsibility, it is also proposed that the
University considers developing a stewardship system for student “stewards” or departmental
Campus Planning & Development
Facilities Services
Simon Fraser University
April 2007
staff given the responsibility to oversee designated social spaces. This should be supported with
a program of increased scheduled custodial maintenance of lounges, particularly those which
have higher usage and/or generate more waste due to proximity of food outlets.
This report has excluded student social spaces in the Library and in the Residences although it is
clear a similar program for renewal for these spaces should also be considered.
Campus Planning & Development
Facilities Services
Simon Fraser University
April 2007
APPENDIX A
1. SOCIAL SPACE (BY COU CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS)
To quantify how much social space there is on campus, the report used the University’s
2006 Space Inventory, basing this on the Council of Ontario Universities (COU)
categories of space, and filtered the data in these categories using the more detailed SFU
space groupings to get to the area of social space.
Note: This report does not deal with library space or residence lounge spaces.
The table below illustrates the overlapping criteria used to filter out and extract the area
for student social spaces:
COU
SFU
Category Code
4.5
057
4.5
052
14.3
057
14.3
14.4
053
042
Description
Departmental student lounge space,
restricted to students associated with the
department (i.e. departmental control)
Departmental general space (i.e.
departmental control)
General lounge space (i.e. public space
maintained by Facilities Management)
General lounge space with kitchenette
General university study space (i.e. public
study areas)
Total Areas
APPENDIX B
Project 300762 Student Social Space Upgrade
(Proposed pilot projects currently in planning, 07/08)
1. West Mall Center 3000 level lounge
2. East Theater Annex Lounge
3. Applied Sciences Building Atrium Lounge
Area SM
771.82
157.91
2358.35
12.78
1852.34
5,153