The classroom of the future arrives at the UPV

Today, the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) has inaugurated the 'Well Pilot Space', a revolutionary classroom at the School of Agricultural Engineering and Environment (ETSIAMN). Designed according to the principles of the international WELL Building standard, this pilot classroom helps improve learning and optimises the performance and comfort of students and teaching staff while promoting creativity, critical thinking and innovation.

The ‘Well Pilot Space’ at the ETSIAMN has been designed based on scientific criteria that link the physical environment to the functioning of different systems in the human body, such as the nervous, endocrine and cardiovascular systems. Among its most notable features, this classroom of the future—already present at the UPV—emulates the natural changes in sunlight to maintain biological rhythms and improve concentration and rest. In addition, it is acoustically designed with geometries and materials that minimise noise stress and improve speech intelligibility.

The ‘Well Pilot Space’ also incorporates healthy materials and better ventilation, which guarantee better air quality, and what is known as active furniture, which encourages movement, reduces sedentary behaviour and adapts to different teaching uses such as group work, exhibitions or lectures. It also includes other elements that promote positive emotional states and psychological well-being.

‘The design and distribution of the furniture were decided by the users themselves, through surveys and voting, adapting it to teaching functions. We have found that, after the intervention, variables such as attention, memory and creativity have increased,’ says XXXX.

A participatory and measured process

The creation of this revolutionary classroom in the Spanish university system ranged from an initial assessment of the space and the needs of students and academic staff to the subsequent monitoring of results. It is the result of joint work between the Vice-Rectorates for Sustainable Development of Campus and Infrastructure and Coordination of the UPV, the Neuroarchitecture Laboratory of the UPV's HumanTech Institute, the CU4 architecture studio and the company ACTIU, which was responsible for the equipment.

"Classrooms like the one we are inaugurating today will contribute to improving the entire educational process and help both the learning of our students and the teaching of our faculty. This project reflects our commitment to academic excellence and digital transformation, creating environments that inspire students, teachers and researchers. With this classroom, we are taking another step towards building more humane, healthier spaces adapted to the current and future challenges of university teaching,‘ added XXXXX.

A space that fosters talent

For the director of UPV's Neuroarchitecture Laboratory, Carmen Llinares, ’the new classroom design is the result of a participatory process in which users defined the layout and furniture according to their teaching needs. Before the intervention, processes such as attention, memory and creativity were evaluated using psychological and neurophysiological techniques. Subsequent measurements will be taken when the classroom comes into use. However, an improvement in the perception of well-being has already been observed."

For her part, the councillor and head of Brand Reputation at Actiu, Soledat Berbegal, highlighted in the presentation: "This project marks a milestone for the UPV: it is, without a doubt, the healthiest, most inclusive and sustainable classroom possible. We have designed an environment that not only cares for the body and mind but also enhances talent. A space where students and teachers are travelling companions, where creativity, critical thinking and innovation are encouraged. We wanted students to find the conditions here to be the best version of themselves, without tension or blockages, in an environment that brings out the best in everyone.

'This classroom is just the beginning. It is a pilot project, but it represents a new way of doing things, learning and collaborating. It is a model that can be applied to other spaces in the university and a source of inspiration for many educational projects. Because when the environment is well designed, it not only improves learning, it completely transforms the educational experience,' added Soledat Berbegal.

A piece of art saved from oblivion

The new space also incorporates a heritage element of great emotional and symbolic value: a historic ceramic mural, restored and transferred from the old ETSIAMN campus in Blasco Ibáñez. This large-format work made using the socarrat technique with enamelled parts, represents an allegory of crops throughout the seasons and was originally part of the building of the former Higher Technical School of Rural Studies and Oenology.

News UPV TV
Download File