Nanjing International School recently welcomed educators and operations leaders from across the region for our Learning Spaces Workshop, hosted in partnership with PeerSphere. The workshop provided an opportunity to explore how thoughtfully designed environments can deepen learning, support collaboration, and bring educational vision to life.

The event brought together over 20 participants representing a range of international schools from China and beyond. Through guided conversations, tours, and shared reflection, participants examined how learning spaces can be intentionally designed to maximise their potential for students and teachers alike.

A highlight of the workshop was the keynote address by Philip Idle and Chloe Summers, Practice Director and Director at EIW Architects. Through their experience working with various schools through the years, they shared insights into educational design thinking and the importance of understanding the school, the context, and the users of the space. EIW Architects previously partnered with NIS on our school’s multi-award-winning Early Years Centre and the recently completed HUB, both of which served as live case studies during the workshop. Both Philip and Chloe emphasised that in partnering with NIS, “We didn’t design spaces and hope learning would follow-we designed for NIS’ beliefs and values and learning found its own way.”

Participants toured the Early Years spaces, HUB, and the Design Centre, engaging in discussion around the design journey, pedagogical intent, and the practical realities of bringing innovative learning environments to life. The sharing of stories behind the creation of these spaces resonated strongly with visiting educators, many of whom commented on the sense of purpose and possibility embedded in the environments.

The workshop also underscored NIS’s commitment to collaboration beyond its own community. Hosting educators from a diverse range of schools created rich conversations about leadership, design, and innovation, reinforcing the importance of regional partnerships in advancing international education. By bringing together design expertise, educational vision, and real-world examples, the Learning Spaces Workshop offered participants both inspiration and practical insight – all while reaffirming our role as a hub for professional learning and innovation in China and beyond.