Architect and designers John Pickup, Jon Potter and John Mathers got together in early “noughties” with an aim to explore and improve learning spaces for pupils in the modern school context. Drawing together a wider focus group comprising teachers and headteachers, designers and technologists, the team examined the history of the classroom – then stood back and reflected on the results from a child’s perspective.

What became obvious was that “the classroom”, primarily designed around a teacher and an average pupil group of up to 30 children, fell short of the “one size fits all” solution it once promised.

The working group reflected on the propensity for young children to seek out small spaces, hiding under tables and building dens as places of comfort and safety where they could let their imagination run free.

It was concluded that this clear demonstration for a desire for “Mastery of Space” could hold the key to improving outcomes for pupils exhibiting problems within a “normal” classroom environment.

Thus the journey to the Space Cube began. The Space Cube by design wraps itself around its occupants. It offers a range of ceiling heights and presents an interior which can be altered by the child in terms of colour and appearance. Decades of research was available on the effects of colour on the human brain.

The hypothesis emerged, that in combining the neurological benefits of intimate spaces with conducive lighting/colour selection might lead to the evolution of an advanced educational technique.

It was further considered that this flexible solution might, in reality find its greatest value among the neurodiverse pupil base, a conclusion which provided the impetus to develop learning pods – spaces where audio visual and haptic technologies would combine with selectively lit intimate spaces leading to enhanced learning outcomes.

It is that vision which has inspired the development and introduction of the Space Cube. A vision shared by pioneering educators willing to share their experience of pupil progress, adding to further continuous product innovation.

SpaceCubed Limited directors are its only shareholders. The company is UK based and provides all construction services from its immediate locality – committed to limiting its carbon footprint.