Warren, NJ Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc. has completed work with the Watchung Hills Regional High School District to modernize the existing Watchung Hills Regional High School Media Center to a state-of-the-art learning commons. The new design helps incorporate the latest technology and caters to a wide range of learning styles.

The Learning Commons was designed to be the heart of the school and is a place where students, faculty, community, and education collide, creating an environment that prepares students for the future by mirroring the higher education environment.

The new space includes flexible space for teacher-led instruction, self-guided instruction, and collaboration, instructional space, quiet space, collaboration space, a podcast room, TV studio, VR Lab, Makers technologies such as 3D printers, tech desk, and a café integrated into the school’s culinary program with supporting grab and go food counter.

The furniture played a significant role in making the space agile and autonomous, and the walls are movable to increase active learning.

“Partnering with the Watchung Hills Regional High School District to create a refreshed, inspired learning space has been an honor,” said Steven Siegel, principal of Spiezle. “This space and project have been a huge success, and we know this new environment will help students and faculty thrive for years to come. Education is one of our core markets, and we are happy to construe our thoughts and incorporate trends to design and build impactful spaces.”

“The project has been a great success and created some amazing spaces for our students. We began with a vision, and the result is even better than expected - from the layout to the furniture to the colors, it all looks great,” said Elizabeth Jewett, Ph.D., superintendent of the Watchung Hills Regional High School District. “It was a truly collaborative effort by all involved with creative financing that resulted in a net-zero impact to taxpayers. Spiezle listened to everything we were trying to achieve in that space and successfully incorporated all aspects of our requirements,” said Timothy Stys, business administrator of the Watchung Hills Regional High School District.

Watchung Hills Regional High School is a regional public high school serving students in the suburban communities of Green Brook, Long Hill, Warren, and Watchung.