The Loft at Minnetonka High School

A major renovation transformed underutilized locker rooms into a ‘future-ready’ learning space. Special design features include:

• Cave spaces for distraction-free quiet study or individual reflection
• Spaces where students can be ‘alone together’ as they work independently next to their peers, generating a ‘buzz’ like a coffee shop
• Collaborative spaces with ubiquitous technology for students to work with their peers
• Makerspace to spread-out projects and utilize whiteboards
• Spaces where teachers conduct lessons and then transform the space into a collaborative team environment with flexible furniture and several presentation niches
• Space beyond the classroom for student work, with teacher oversight
• Large flexible space to accommodate the equivalent of two classes

Instead of expanding or building new, MHS seized an opportunity to transform an underutilized space into a ‘future-ready’ learning environment. It is an uplifting and positive atmosphere for student engagement. As one student remarked, “This is a space I never want to leave!”