A Little Room to Recharge at EDspaces 2026

How can we create schools where more students feel comfortable, connected, and ready to learn? That question brought people together at EDspaces 2026 in Kansas City, MO and it’s at the heart of Rob Kirkbride’s recent officeinsight article, “EDspaces Makes the Case for Designing Around the Learner.”

This year, EDspaces gaves thoughtful attention to sensory needs, student belonging, and educator well-being. These considerations affect how people experience the school day, from participating in a classroom discussion to finding a moment to regroup.

For us, supporting different learners starts with giving people choices. Someone may need a quieter spot to concentrate, a comfortable place to talk with a teacher, or a little breathing room while staying connected to the classroom. Making room for those needs doesn’t always require a renovation. There’s often an opportunity within the places schools already have.

At EDspaces, Nooks became places for podcast recordings, classroom conversations, book signings, catching up, and taking a break. Seeing people use them in different ways reinforced something we care about deeply: a thoughtfully designed environment can offer support without asking everyone to use it in the same way.

Kirkbride’s recap is a thoughtful look at the people and ideas helping schools respond to the learners within them. We’re glad to be part of that conversation.

Read “EDspaces Makes the Case for Designing Around the Learner” in officeinsight.