Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

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Bringing flexibility to technical, practical learning spaces.

Future Vision If your school has begun or is considering refurbishing your existing Design & Technology space, this guide is for you!

Design and Technology workshops serve as the central hub for creativity and innovation in schools. However, over time, these spaces can become outdated and less adaptable to the evolving needs of D&T education. To address this, school leaders and educators can embark on a comprehensive refurbishment project to transform their D&T workshops into more flexible practical learning spaces that empower students to thrive in the ever-changing world of design, technology, and innovation.

Any refurbishment project should be built on a future vision. What are the key drivers for changing your space, how will it enhance both teaching and learning? Will the space remain functional in 5 or even 10 years’ time?

Take a moment to reflect on your current situation and envision where you want to be. How will the new space make teaching easier for you and learning more effective for students? Will it foster a deeper immersion in the subject of D&T? Can the new space inspire more students to take D&T at GCSE level? How future-proofed and adaptable will your new environment be?

Use this guide to direct your thoughts around the benefits of a newly refurbished space and envisage what the future of D&T will look like in your school.

WF Education Team Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Space analysis + auditing

Before embarking on a refurbishment project, it's crucial to conduct a comprehensive assessment of your current workshop space. This includes evaluating existing layouts, identifying any areas that require attention, and assessing the overall condition of the facilities. This initial survey will lay the groundwork for developing a well-informed refurbishment plan.

To conduct a thorough space analysis, consider the following:

Strip back to a blank(er) canvas Clear out and empty (where possible) the space you are working with. You can gain a clearer visual representation of the room measurements. This will enable you to identify the ideal placement for both existing and new furniture and machinery, as well as determine where new electrical points may be required.

Measure you space and evaluate the layout Measure your space to define the square meterage you may have to work with.

Can the space be opened up or zoned off? Carefully examine the current layout to identify areas that hinder flexibility and functionality. Consider the arrangement of workbenches, workstations, storage, and movement patterns.

It is also important to assess your current power provision at this stage and identify if you will require any additions or modifications.

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Space analysis + auditing

Assess structural conditions Assess the structural integrity of the workshop, including walls, floors, ceilings, extraction and electrical systems. Identify any areas that require repair or maintenance to ensure a safe and functional environment.

Don’t forget the basics Air conditioning, ventilation, heating, and lighting are all important areas to examine before beginning to plan your refurbishment project. Doing this in your initial analysis and audit will minimise risk of unexpected surprises and costs during the project.

Consider existing vs new elements Think about existing elements in your space you can keep, to save money. Use your analysis to consider any remaining gaps, to identify what new furniture and equipment you will require to fulfil your future vision.

Utilising your existing space Utilising your existing space and avoiding any building work can significantly reduce time and cost of the project and will reduce risk of unexpected problems during the installation process. Think about investing in mobile furniture to develop a more flexible working space that can be adapted to teach multiple activities quickly and easily.

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Space analysis + auditing

Has technology out-dated your existing space?

As D&T continues to evolve, it is crucial to ensure that your equipment and machinery remains usable and compliant with current regulations. Outdated and ineffective tools and machinery, can constitute hidden costs that may hinder the progress of your refurbishment project.

Take the opportunity to work with specialist suppliers to education, to ensure older equipment is fit-for-purpose and in line with current regulations, leaving you more money to invest in newer technologies.

Health and safety, and compliance Refurbishing your existing space will mean you will need to carry out a thorough audit of existing tools and machinery. A ‘legacy transfer audit’ will ensure machinery and equipment is fully aligned to BS4163:2021.

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Design for safety WF Education’s design team has planned thousands of spaces which comply with BS4163-2021, providing the safest working environments for schools around the world.

Get in touch to find out more about our space planning and design services.

Get in touch

Planning and communicating your vision

Storage audit and calculating storage needs Storage is a pinch point within any department, therefore, maximising, and utilising storage wherever possible will be fundamental to any refurbishment, especially if space is at a premium. See where additional storage or clever solutions could be added to enhance your space.

Working with an educational specialist supplier will provide a full working summary of your machinery and will suggest parts and accessories your existing kit needs to bring them in line with up to health and safety regulations. Scheduling regular servicing and maintaining of your existing equipment can save you time and money – pre project and post project!

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Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Planning and communicating your vision

Consult with wider stakeholders Once your space analysis is complete, consult with key stakeholders, including teachers, students, and school administrators. Gather their insights and perspectives on the refurbishment project. A collaborative approach will help to ensure that the refurbished workshop aligns with the needs and expectations of the school community.

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Planning and communicating your vision

Colour and aesthetics The essence of engaging design will always be about people – how they use a space and how it makes them feel. It is about the realities of what makes for an attractive, inspiring, and meaningful environment. It can sway thinking, change actions, and cause reactions.

Colour can considerably improve your mood, can inspire, engage, and can help to raise our spirits or the spirits of others and this applies to students and the learning environment. Adding a pop of colour and vibrance in right way can stimulate and better engage student creativity and innovative thinking. Do your research and find out how to balance colour and clean lines to create the perfect space.

Read our blog ‘Colour your world’ for some inspiration on applying colour to the learning environment.

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Planning and communicating your vision

Maximise natural light If your budget allows, optimise natural light by strategically placing windows or incorporating skylights. Natural light creates a brighter, more welcoming, and conducive learning environment.

Introduce natural elements Add natural elements, such as plants or green walls, to enhance air quality, create a calming atmosphere, and promote a sense of connection with nature.

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Planning and communicating your vision

Fundamentals Think big but be realistic! Create a list of items which are deemed as a ‘must have’ and fundamental to ensuring your vision comes to life. List the things you would ‘like to have’, and what can be added later.

Are you introducing a new topic in the future? e.g. robotics, STEM clubs.

These items could be purchased later down the line or in a subsequent phase of the project. .

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Planning and communicating your vision

A zoned approach Consider a zoned approach with clear designated areas within your space. It will allow you to teach multiple activities, enabling you to switch between activities quickly and easily, dependent on your timetables. Zones can help students to become familiar with each D&T discipline and what activities are used for each i.e., CAD/CAM zone, Textiles zone, Fabrication zone, Robotics and coding zone.

Dedicated Activity Workstations Fitting seamlessly into zones, workstations are an excellent ‘plug and play’ solution, are pre-assembled so don’t require installation, and are often include built-in storage. You can then easily wheel into your associated zone, for example, a 3D Printing workstation becomes part of your CAD/CAM zone. Consider things such as electricity access points, and safe working distances before purchasing a workstation.

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Other considerations

Resources With any refurbishment project, you will need to do an audit on what resources you have, and what new equipment and materials you need to complete your refurbishment.

Purchasing a list of equipment and consumables from a single supplier who can design, install, and supply equipment and supply materials will save you time and money, and is one less thing to think about!

When selecting tools and materials for your new space, we provide our customers with an easy to use tools & materials selector, making the process quick and easy.

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Other considerations

Keep, recycle, throw away Instead of simply throwing things away, are there any items that can be repurposed or recycled?

Take the time to make a comprehensive list of all the items you currently have, distinguishing between what can be kept and what can be discarded to easily identify which items can be recycled. Additionally, can items be sold on to generate revenue towards the project?

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Other considerations

Lifecycle and whole life costs By investing in high-quality furniture and equipment that stands the test of time, you not only gain the support of stakeholders and potential funders, but also the peace of mind that your resources will endure and withstand the daily demands of a school environment. .

25-year guarantee on all TM Akira frames!

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Other considerations

Research and validation Success stories from other schools will help strengthen your vision and ensure you are on the right track, aligning your new space with future evolution of D&T. Browsing through case studies and engaging in conversations with other teachers who have already transformed their learning spaces not only provides you with assurance, but also convinces key stakeholders and funders of the benefits behind your project.

Browse our range of case studies today: Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology Space

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Planning your project

Project scheduling Developing a well-structured project schedule right from the beginning will serve as an invaluable asset. By adopting a systematic approach and including important milestones and interdependencies, you can confidently stay on track, identify tasks that need to be completed before others can begin, and effectively eliminate any potential roadblocks. If you have multiple stakeholders involved this can also be managed effectively via your project schedule. There are project management tools out there, however, excel can work just as well if you cover everything.

Here's a glimpse of how your project schedule could take shape, but keep in mind that you'll need to tailor it to match the scale of your project. This serves as a mere illustration of a few stages and tasks that you can include in your schedule.

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Planning your project

Enhance storage and organisation Effective storage solutions are crucial for a well-organised and efficient practical learning space.

Consider the following strategies: Provide additional storage: Ensure sufficient storage space to accommodate tools, materials, and equipment. Consider incorporating wall-mounted storage units, cabinets with casters, and rolling tool chests.

Label and categorise: Clearly label and categorise storage areas to facilitate easy identification and retrieval of materials. Use color-coding, shelving dividers, and clear labels to maintain order and minimise clutter.

Utilise mobile storage: Incorporate mobile storage units that can be easily rearranged to adapt to different project needs and support flexible workspace configurations. Under bench storage and large mobile storage units, will help to ensure equipment and materials are kept tidy, easy to find and are easily accessible for both teachers and students.

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

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Planning your project

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Design a flexible layout Plan a layout that maximises adaptability and supports a variety of activities.

Consider incorporating movable partitions, mobile workbenches and storage, versatile workstations, focus walls, and dedicated areas for specific activities, such as rapid prototyping, electronics, robotics and coding, textiles, and fabrication.

Planning your project

Select durable materials Choose materials that can withstand the rigours of D&T use, such as non-slip flooring, washable wall coverings, and sturdy workbenches and workstations.

Prioritise materials that are easy to clean and maintain.

Your plan should outline a clear timeline for the project, establish a realistic budget, and specify the materials, equipment, and fixtures required for the refurbishment.

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Planning your project

Design steps There are many things to think about when designing your space, including comprehensive review of room measurements, mechanical and electrical considerations, positioning of new furniture and regulated safety distances.

For larger refurbishments you may want to explore the possibility of a consultative design, working with experts in delivering educational spaces to ensure your designs are comprehensive, accurate and considered.

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Planning your project

Supplier analysis Do your supplier research! If you are using a supplier to help design and install your refurbishment project or to simply provide new equipment, tools, and consumables - make sure they are education specialists and have previous experience in such projects and services.

For a large-scale renovation project, working with a single supplier who can handle everything from design and installation to resource supply and maintenance of existing machinery, can not only save you money, but also free up your time and energy.

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Planning your project

Integrate technology for enhanced learning To enhance you workshop, consider incorporating the following technological elements: Strategic power outlets: Install sufficient power outlets throughout the workshop to accommodate various electronic devices and power tools. Consider placing outlets at workstations, near sinks, and in dedicated areas for technology projects.

Interactive displays: Install interactive displays, such as touchscreen panels, digital projectors, or smart whiteboards, to foster interactive learning and collaboration amongst students.

These tools can be used for presentations, demonstrations, and collaborative design activities.

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Keep your machinery fit-for-purpose with regular maintenance & servicing...

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Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Managing your project

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Training Think about what type of training might be required before, during or after your project commences. If you are introducing new technologies, new equipment, or new activities, who will be responsible for them and who will need adequate training.

Build this into your project schedule and budget.

Managing your project

Onsite installation Stay in control! Controlling the controllables’ but preparing for the unexpected is the best way to begin any project. With a comprehensive refurbish plan in place, you will find you are in full control throughout, and are able to easily manage key stakeholders and meet deadlines.

If you are working with an installation supplier on larger projects, this will help reduce the pressure when it comes to managing the project as well as the initial designing and planning.

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Design for safety WF Education’s design team has planned thousands of spaces which comply with BS4163-2021, providing the safest working environments for schools around the world.

Get in touch to find out more about our space planning and design services.

Get in touch

Managing your project

Maintenance and upkeep To ensure the longevity and functionality of the refurbished workshop, establish a comprehensive maintenance plan. This plan should outline regular inspections, scheduled cleaning, and preventive maintenance procedures.

Promptly address any signs of damage or wear and tear. This will maintain the safety and functionality of the workshop, ensuring it remains a valuable learning resource for years to come.

Keep your machinery fit-for-purpose with regular maintenance & servicing...

Guide to refurbishing your Design & Technology space

Enquire today!

Bring flexibility to your D&T spaces with WF Education offers a specialist design service for new build and refurbishment projects. Work with our teams to perfect your space, then see them come to life in 3D. From design to installation to aftercare and maintenance, work with one friendly team.

Get in touch The Akira™ system allows you to rapidly switch activities and layouts in STEAM spaces without compromising on the strength and stability required for a safe working environment.