UCI Medical Education
Design That Supports Team-Based Learning
Understanding what drives the need for change
Healthcare education was undergoing a fundamental transformation. UCI Medical School recognized that tomorrow's doctors needed to learn differently – not in isolated lecture halls absorbing theoretical knowledge, but as collaborative teams practicing real-world patient care scenarios. The shift toward interprofessional, team-based learning demanded spaces that could support hands-on experiential learning, critical thinking, and the kind of dynamic collaboration that mirrors modern healthcare environments.
The existing 34,800 square feet across three floors of UCI's medical building told the story of traditional education: a tiered lecture hall designed for one-way information delivery, disconnected spaces that isolated students and faculty, and environments that couldn't adapt to the interactive, technology-integrated learning methods the new curriculum required. The medical school needed a complete reimagining of how educational spaces could foster the lifelong learning skills, open inquiry, and teamwork that define exceptional healthcare professionals.
How we brought the vision to life
Tangram partnered with Gensler to create an interconnected ecosystem where every space contributes to the learning experience. The transformation began in the basement, where a traditional tiered lecture hall became state-of-the-art anatomy labs that blend physical and virtual learning. These labs were designed around the principle that learning happens in groups – cadaver tables equipped with audio-visual support work alongside virtual anatomy stations, creating seamless transitions between lecture and hands-on discovery.
The third floor became the heart of collaborative learning, featuring a large-format active learning center that accommodates 144 students working in groups of eight. Each table cluster integrates power and data while allowing instructors to fluidly shift between teaching modes. Surrounding breakout rooms extend learning beyond the central space, while activated hallways with informal seating and a coffee bar transform circulation into opportunity for peer connection. The fourth floor balances faculty needs with student community, creating collaborative office spaces flooded with natural light alongside student lounges, study rooms, and a maker space that gives learners choice in how and where they engage with their education.
1 professionals brought this vision to life
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