The emerging knowledge-age model in society has brought forward the idea of having a more self-directed learning environment; students should be empowered to take more control over their learning path while teachers take a facilitating role, rather than the traditional large group instruction where students have less control over what and how they learn.

On an environmental level, by having spaces that have logical pathways and fluidity, this creates a space that is more comfortable and easier for the users to function in. Comfort includes temperature, air flow/circulation, lighting levels, and acoustics, as well as having appropriate and comfortable furniture that is easily adjustable.

A well-planned and well-maintained learning environment has an impact on sense of belonging and security, which, in turn, has been connected to commitment to engaging in learning.

On a psychological level, it is important to have an environment designed to stimulate, motivate, engage, and send the ‘right’ messages about learner empowerment.

This can be achieved by providing a variety of settings aimed at supporting individual and group preferences. By providing a range of settings, users are able to explore and adapt their learning approaches in a way that best suits them.

Incorporating more group collaborative settings and creating a ‘learning landscape’ is said to give the users a sense of belonging, and also helps to facilitate peer group discussion which leads to more informal learning outside of the classroom.