ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the design of informal learning spaces and buildings are considered from an architect's perspective. It addresses the 'strategic approaches' which influence the design of informal learning spaces. The chapter provides some Finnish universities' space developments are used as examples to highlight the different approaches, solutions and scales of design of informal learning spaces, focusing particularly on developments in the Tampere University of Technology (TUT) and the University of Tampere (UTA). The chapter presents how some key strategic approaches affect the design of informal learning spaces. It discusses the variety of spatial requirements, activity-based environments and functionality in the design of informal learning spaces. In the design of informal learning spaces, these viewpoints put emphasis on the location of the spaces, with attention also paid to the importance of the private-public zoning of the spaces, but also to the open access and mixture of spaces blending and blurring the line between functional categories.
