Wiles is of the opinion that designers have given very little thought to the amount of space children need in the classroom. At the time this article was written, Wiles tells us that public classrooms were 1200 square feet. This square footage is reduced dramatically to around 661 square feet after adding furniture, storage, desks, and pathways. Wiles recommends that if the classroom teacher is to attempt a diverse curriculum, an individualized approach to instruction, or a more personal pattern of interaction with students, these efforts may be sabotaged prematurely by the subtle variable of personal space. Personal space has a direct impact on learning, and designers must take this into consideration when designing schools.
Schools hold the responsibility of providing for students' various needs.
Students' needs range from physical to emotional. One need identified by Black is that of privacy. In the classroom setting students will need times for group interaction, but will need quiet times alone as well. This need will vary with the students in the classroom. Making space and allowances for that quiet time at any point during the day is helpful to many students.