As natural disasters continue to strike communities across the globe, schools are often the first institutions affected, with the impact rippling throughout the community.
Consider the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when New Orleans schools were forced to shut down for months, or the 2018 wildfires in California, which led to the temporary closure of many schools, including those in Paradise.
More recently, over half a million students were out of school in Los Angeles during the week of the fires in January of 2025. Students endured significant hardship during an already stressful and traumatic event, missing classes and meals alongside vital emotional connections.
These disruptions don’t just impact infrastructure, they can halt the educational progress of countless students. The damage to buildings and the displacement of students has lasting consequences on both academic achievement and mental well-being.
Given this, schools must adapt to the changing landscape by adopting flexible, adaptive learning spaces that enable education to continue during and after a disaster.
The question is, what does that look like? Let’s talk about it.
Tristin Kranenburg, sales director for education, Tangram Interiors
The lasting impact of disaster on education
When disaster strikes, the effects on schools can be immediate and devastating. Physical damage to buildings can lead to extended closures, leaving students behind in their studies.
A report from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that prolonged school closures can lead to substantial learning loss, particularly in math and reading. This can have significant impacts on students’ long-term academic and career trajectories.
Beyond the immediate disruption, recovery efforts often focus on rebuilding structures, but what about the infrastructure that supports long-term educational stability? The process needs to go beyond simple repairs and focus on creating environments that can withstand future crises.
It’s clear that schools need more than just a quick fix. Extensive, careful emergency response plans must be put in place that facilitate both the physical recovery of a school and the preservation of its ability to educate.
This includes planning for flexible, resilient learning environments that allow for continuity in education, no matter what comes next.
The power of flexible design
Modular furniture
In the wake of a crisis, schools may face the challenge of moving students into temporary or damaged spaces.
Modular furniture offers a practical solution. With pieces that can be easily moved or rearranged, schools can quickly set up learning areas to accommodate different group sizes or specific needs.
Reconfigurable layouts
Flexible layouts allow schools to adapt classrooms and other spaces on the fly. Whether it’s to house more students in the aftermath of a disaster or to facilitate specialized learning setups, these adaptable layouts give schools the ability to swiftly make the best use of available space.
Creative spatial planning
Effective spatial planning is key to maximizing the utility of any space. By considering the needs of different learning styles, schools can design spaces that allow for a variety of educational functions—whether it’s quiet study areas, collaborative group workspaces, or temporary classrooms.
Building resilience in schools
In short, adopting flexible and adaptive designs is a crucial investment in the future of education. Schools can (and must) take proactive steps to protect their spaces against the unexpected, creating environments that are resilient and ready to evolve as needs change.
In most cases, this means choosing durable, easy-to-repair materials and creating layouts that can quickly shift to serve new purposes—whether for a temporary learning space or a community gathering area.
To build environments that truly withstand the test of time, schools must embed resilience in their design from the start. Flexibility, durability, and adaptability should be embedded into every corner, helping the mission education of students continue no matter the challenges that come their way.
Aveson Charter School: A real-world example
When wildfires ravaged Aveson Charter School in Los Angeles, the community was left grappling with the immediate effects of displacement. With classrooms damaged and the future uncertain, the school urgently needed adaptive learning spaces to accommodate its students.
Tangram Interiors stepped in to provide support.
The company donated over 100 pieces of modular furniture to help the school set up temporary learning environments. With the help of flexible design solutions, Aveson was able to continue educating over 200 students in a stable environment, despite the crisis.
This real-world example demonstrates how creative, adaptable design solutions can help schools stay operational and maintain educational continuity even in the face of disaster.
In summary
The need for adaptive, flexible learning spaces in schools cannot be ignored. As natural disasters and other crises continue to affect communities, it’s vital that educational institutions prioritize resilient, adaptable design solutions.
Thinking ahead and investing in adaptive spaces prepares schools to withstand any storm—both literal and figurative—while continuing to deliver essential educational opportunities.
With the right design, schools can do more than survive disasters: they can overcome them and turn challenges into opportunities for growth and progress.
As Sales Director for Education in Southern California, Tristin Kranenburg leads Tangram’s Education team, driving strategic growth and fostering new relationships in the sector. Her expertise, dedication, and client-centric approach continue to strengthen Tangram’s presence in the education market. With nearly eight years at Tangram, Tristin brings a wealth of experience in sales, account management, and strategic leadership.