[C.O] Lab at Ho-Ho-Kus School

Funded through the District’s Education Foundation, the Ho-Ho-Kus School District retained LAN to renovate a career tech room into a Creative Opportunity Lab. The space transcends traditional subject matter and curriculum, allowing students to explore new avenues of design, thought, and collaboration. The project’s design began with LAN hosting a visioning session where students and teachers could take part is shaping the space. 

As the next step in STEAM education, the Creativity Opportunity Lab, or [C.O.] Lab, promotes the use of “design thinking” and pushes students to extend their boundaries of learning. This is achieved by emphasizing multiple means of interaction and technology infusion. Peer to peer collaboration is promoted through the implementation of design hubs and flexible furniture, while communication is encouraged through sketching using a wall-to-wall whiteboard space and multiple touchscreen displays.

Through moveable ‘think nooks’ students can customize the space into a small huddle area, relaxing lounge, or set up around the large whiteboards to showcase ideas to larger groups. Hands-on learning is emphasized through the inclusion of a build bar for hand tools and large models. Biophilic elements were incorporated throughout to help connect the space to nature.