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Designing Ideal Learning Spaces with Sustainability in Mind

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Title: Designing Ideal Learning Spaces with Sustainability in Mind
Language: English
Authors: Violeta Orlovic Lovren, Nikola Koruga
Source: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 2026 27(4):831-844.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Adult Education
Descriptors: Sustainability, Educational Environment, Educational Facilities Design, Foreign Countries, Higher Education, Adult Education, Architectural Education, Sustainable Development, Andragogy, Doctoral Students, Undergraduate Students, Adult Learning
Geographic Terms: Serbia
DOI: 10.1108/IJSHE-05-2024-0343
ISSN: 1467-6370
1758-6739
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore opportunities for integrating sustainability into teaching in HE, Higher Education, starting from transformative and critical perspectives. Using utopia as a method (Levitas, 2013) in higher education allows for the creation of alternative futures, thus expanding our understanding beyond the current capitalocene framework (Suvin, 2021). Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative analysis of students' presentations on ideal learning spaces has been performed, created by students from adult education (AE) and architecture studies (AS) at the University of Belgrade. Utilizing a multimodal discourse analysis, the authors examine both text and visuals in the analyzed presentations. Findings: Student presentations reflect specific characteristics of their prior learning experience. This activity opened opportunities to AE students to integrate some ideas of sustainability, while to students of AS to focus more on innovation in the teaching process and to learn both in formal and in nonformal settings. Two dominant discourses identified are naïve sustainability and certain practical future. Practical implications: University teachers might be inspired to apply similar activities in teaching groups in different fields, both in scientific and geographic terms. The utopian method, within an educational context, fosters critical engagement with reality while concurrently providing space for the development of innovative thinking. It encourages a reevaluation of existing theoretical approaches and their practical implementation, promoting a dynamic and transformative mindset. Originality/value: The application of utopian methodology is an unconventional topic in higher education. However, it presents a novel approach when teaching sustainability within a multidisciplinary environment. Multimodal discourse analysis reveals the challenges that might be faced by educators who aim to implement this innovative teaching method across various cultural and organizational contexts.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1505988
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Designing Ideal Learning Spaces with Sustainability in Mind
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Violeta+Orlovic+Lovren%22">Violeta Orlovic Lovren</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nikola+Koruga%22">Nikola Koruga</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Sustainability+in+Higher+Education%22"><i>International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 27(4):831-844.
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 14
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Adult+Education%22">Adult Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sustainability%22">Sustainability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Environment%22">Educational Environment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Facilities+Design%22">Educational Facilities Design</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adult+Education%22">Adult Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Architectural+Education%22">Architectural Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sustainable+Development%22">Sustainable Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Andragogy%22">Andragogy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Doctoral+Students%22">Doctoral Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adult+Learning%22">Adult Learning</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Serbia%22">Serbia</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1108/IJSHE-05-2024-0343
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  Data: 1467-6370<br />1758-6739
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore opportunities for integrating sustainability into teaching in HE, Higher Education, starting from transformative and critical perspectives. Using utopia as a method (Levitas, 2013) in higher education allows for the creation of alternative futures, thus expanding our understanding beyond the current capitalocene framework (Suvin, 2021). Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative analysis of students' presentations on ideal learning spaces has been performed, created by students from adult education (AE) and architecture studies (AS) at the University of Belgrade. Utilizing a multimodal discourse analysis, the authors examine both text and visuals in the analyzed presentations. Findings: Student presentations reflect specific characteristics of their prior learning experience. This activity opened opportunities to AE students to integrate some ideas of sustainability, while to students of AS to focus more on innovation in the teaching process and to learn both in formal and in nonformal settings. Two dominant discourses identified are naïve sustainability and certain practical future. Practical implications: University teachers might be inspired to apply similar activities in teaching groups in different fields, both in scientific and geographic terms. The utopian method, within an educational context, fosters critical engagement with reality while concurrently providing space for the development of innovative thinking. It encourages a reevaluation of existing theoretical approaches and their practical implementation, promoting a dynamic and transformative mindset. Originality/value: The application of utopian methodology is an unconventional topic in higher education. However, it presents a novel approach when teaching sustainability within a multidisciplinary environment. Multimodal discourse analysis reveals the challenges that might be faced by educators who aim to implement this innovative teaching method across various cultural and organizational contexts.
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  Data: 2026
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Facilities Design
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