The ‘Handbuch – Multitalente in der Lernraumgestaltung’ (Handbook – Multi-Talents In Learning Space Design) is out, online and free to download! It’s the third and last handbook of methods that is part of the project Raumlabore, an initiative of the Dieter Schwarz Foundation and the Stifterverband in the years 2023 to 2024.

This issue contains a collection on the role of Learning Architecture Agents and the challenges they face in the Raumlabore program.

What is a “Raumlabor”?
Within the Raumlabor project, students, lecturers, and staff from five universities collaboratively designed, shaped, evaluated, and continuously reconfigured physical learning spaces over a period of 18–21 months. These projects created experimental environments to actively advance the urgently needed development of future-oriented, impactful, and user-centered learning spaces.

In this context, a Raumlabor refers to a space where the design of learning environments and their interaction with innovative, learner-centered teaching and learning formats are explored and evaluated. Both students and lecturers take on dual roles as researchers and participants, while the space itself is continually adapted and transformed.

Unlike traditional seminar rooms or lecture halls with fixed settings, Raumlabore are dynamic, co-created environments integrated into everyday teaching. They address both formal and informal learning settings, and can also be used independently as laboratories for learning space research and professional development.

What are Learning Architecture Agents?
Learning Architecture Agents (LAs) play a central role in shaping modern, future-oriented learning spaces. They combine strategic thinking, design expertise, and organizational skills, acting as a bridge between universities, students, and lecturers to ensure that learning environments are innovative, needs-based, and sustainable.

Their work spans developing visionary spatial concepts, coordinating implementation, and facilitating collaboration. Tasks include strategic planning, budgeting, technical and pedagogical design, moderating participatory processes, and public outreach, with a strong focus on stakeholder management to align goals and requirements.

By connecting disciplines, involving diverse stakeholders, and driving innovation, LAs create learning spaces that meet current educational demands while unlocking future potential.

The book is created by Stifterverband with the participation of:

Merle Marie Borrello
Learning Architecture Agent in the project “Flexlab – Flexible Skills Lab Architecture”; Research Associate in the Section for Research and Teaching in Nursing at the Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Lübeck.

Dr. Simone Gerhards
Learning Architecture Agent in the project “ASIL – Ancient Sciences Innovation Lab”; Research Associate in Egyptology at the Institute of Ancient Studies, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.

Dr. Theres Konrad
Learning Architecture Agent in the project “Transformations::räume für zukunftsorientiertes Lernen”; Research Associate in the Cooperation Service at Leuphana University Lüneburg.

Maria Lindner
Learning Architecture Agent in the project “Flexlab – Flexible Skills Lab Architecture”; Research Associate in the Section for Research and Teaching in Nursing at the Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Lübeck.

Johannes Pointer
Learning Architecture Agent in the project “UNIversalräume – Dynamische Systeme in Lehr- und Lernraumarchitekturen”; Research Associate in Design and Computation at the Berlin University of the Arts and the Technical University of Berlin.

Luca Schreiber
Learning Architecture Agent in the project “THI-Learning LabVR”; Research Associate at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Ingolstadt.

Dr. Monika Zöller-Engelhardt
Project Lead in the project “ASIL – Ancient Sciences Innovation Lab”; Academic Councillor in Egyptology at the Institute of Ancient Studies, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.

‍