In this time of uncertainty, as schools and districts navigate plans for the fall semester, we face a key moment: Can we use the momentum gathered to respond to this pandemic to enhance learning, wellness, and community? Or, will we return to even more restrictive versions of the traditional classroom?

As part of HMC’s ongoing research effort to better understand the longterm effects of COVID-19 and develop solutions for a safe return to PreK-12 schools, we consulted with clients from various school districts and county offices of education, conducted surveys with parents, and did a deep dive literature review on building design and infectious disease transmission/prevention.

HMC is committed to sharing our findings with the industry in a series of white papers that focus on five main areas of Technology, Adaptability and Flexibility, Regulatory/Budgetary/Institutional Impacts, Space Needs Restructuring, and Impact to Wellness/Mental Health. In this paper, we focus on Adaptability and Flexibility within our PreK-12 built environments.