Understanding what drives the need for change
The University of California, Santa Barbara faced a pivotal moment. With student enrollment surging beyond the capacity of existing classrooms, the campus needed more than just additional seats—it needed spaces that would redefine how learning happens. The university's reputation for pioneering interdisciplinary teaching demanded an environment that could support collaborative education and meaningful faculty-student interactions. The vision was ambitious: create a new heartbeat for campus that would serve as both a functional learning facility and a welcoming gathering place for the entire UCSB community.
The Interactive Learning Pavilion represented a fundamental shift from traditional classroom design. Rather than static lecture halls, the university needed spaces that could adapt to different teaching methods—from large presentations to small group collaborations. The building's porous architecture, with its extensive outdoor gathering spaces, called for furniture solutions that would complement the natural Santa Barbara environment while supporting the active, experiential learning philosophy that UCSB championed.
How we brought the vision to life
Tangram approached this workspace transformation by designing a comprehensive furniture strategy that put flexibility at its core. Understanding that modern learning requires spaces that can shift and adapt throughout the day, the team specified mobile and reconfigurable solutions like Turnstone Shortcut chairs and Steelcase Verb flip tables that could quickly transform lecture halls into collaborative workshops or individual study areas. This purposeful selection ensured that each of the 28 learning spaces could serve multiple functions without compromising comfort or functionality.
The design partnership extended beyond mere furniture selection to create a cohesive visual narrative throughout the building. Tangram developed distinct color schemes for each floor, drawing inspiration from Santa Barbara's diverse topography—from coastal blues to chaparral greens. This thoughtful approach helped wayfinding while celebrating the local landscape that surrounded the pavilion. The outdoor patio became a particular focal point, featuring the striking SIXINCH Cliffy curvilinear lounge that snakes through the space, creating an inviting oasis that blurs the lines between interior and exterior learning environments.
3 professionals brought this vision to life
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