Verizon Community Forward
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE | BRAND STRATEGY | INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
For Verizon Community Forward, we designed and developed 10 unique community centers in 4 different cities across the United States. Building off of the success of the Verizon Innovative Learning Lab program, Verizon Community Forward aimed to create accessible and equitable learning environments for community members of all ages to access resources to bridge the digital skill divide commonly found in under-resourced neighborhoods.
Flexibility is key
Our analysis of the desired educational courses showed us that two different settings were needed: a traditional lecture style classroom with projector and smart board technologies and a lab for prototyping and building STEM related ideas.
Most sites had limited space to have each setting host 20-30 students at a time so we intentionally created ways for the rooms to flex into one another. Tables broke down or rolled out of the way, chairs stacked, extension cords retracted to the ceiling. Accordion doors were installed where possible to control noise and people flow between spaces. A furniture storage area was designed specifically for the locations to house the furniture in the most efficient ways possible.
Uniquely National
One significant challenge was uniting 10 very different sites with a singular aesthetic. Our smallest site was just under 1,000 sq ft and the largest was over 3,000. We had locations in colleges, libraries, community centers, and more, each one as unique as the community they served.
For programming, we were given a two page brief of the anticipated educational courses and we used that as a launching point to determine furniture and tech needed for different styles of learning. We also planned for consistent areas for local community expression with focal wall colors and a local art piece showcased behind the entry desk.
