Design Criteria for Informal Learning Spaces

Recently, I listened to an interesting podcast put together by the Educational Technology Service at Pennsylvania State University. About midway through, the author identifies general design criteria for informal learning spaces as follows:

1) Comfortable
2) Inviting
3) Interesting color, shape and layout
4) Free of distractions
5) Movable furniture which students can reconfigure to meet their needs
6) Aesthically pleasing
7) Able to accommodate individual as well as collaborative work
8) Provides an ambiance for learning that stimulates, motivates and inspires.
9) Provides a combination of physical and technological attributes that enhance learning

Hard to argue with any of that.

There are other resources at this site that you might find of interest.