Understanding what drives the need for change
At Cate School, a prestigious boarding institution nestled in the coastal hills of Carpinteria, California, educational leaders recognized that their central academic hub needed to evolve. The existing Inquiry Collaborative served 310 to 500 students annually, but it no longer reflected the dynamic, interdisciplinary approach to learning that defines modern secondary education. Students were craving spaces that could seamlessly blend computational thinking with creative arts, engineering with collaborative discussion, and individual reflection with group innovation.
The school envisioned transforming this 30,000-square-foot space into something entirely new: a vibrant ecosystem of learning zones that would include an ideation lab, digital arts studio, creation courtyards, and flexible reading areas. The challenge extended beyond simply updating furniture. They needed to create an environment that could adapt rapidly to different teaching styles and group dynamics while maintaining the welcoming, community-focused atmosphere that makes Cate School unique. With California's year-round temperate climate, the design also needed to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor learning, creating seamless flow between spaces.
How we brought the vision to life
Our design partnership with Cate School began with understanding how students actually move through and use collaborative spaces. Rather than imposing a predetermined layout, we carefully curated furniture solutions from premium manufacturers including Steelcase, West Elm, Andreu World, and Restoration Hardware to support the school's vision of adaptable, interdisciplinary learning. We focused on creating distinct zones within the larger space, each with its own character and purpose while maintaining visual and functional coherence throughout.
The McIntosh Reading Room became a showcase for this approach, featuring multiple seating formats that mirror the best of collegiate environments. High-top tables encourage energetic discussion, while cozy lounge chairs and built-in booths provide quiet retreats for individual study. In the learning labs, we selected modular systems from ERG International and OFS that could be quickly reconfigured as teaching needs evolved. Perhaps most importantly, we extended the learning environment outdoors with weather-resistant furniture and thoughtfully placed umbrellas, ensuring students could gather comfortably in California's natural setting year-round. Every piece was chosen not just for durability and aesthetics, but for its ability to support the spontaneous interactions and creative collaborations that define exceptional education.
4 professionals brought this vision to life
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