The formal place to start is by talking to the architect handling the remodel and to other people on campus,
Particularly the physical plant, facilities management, and instructional technology.
Because that will give you a practical starting point of agreement with the professionals who will ultimately make the decision.
Lay a foundation for having an opinion formed from relevant considerations. Satistically you are not the expert here. At best you'll be a trusted collaborator. At worst, sand in the gears.
I mean everything has to fit withing the allocated budget, time frame, and support/maintenance criteria.
Thanks. The remodel is overall mostly done, and the common rooms have been basically left to our department. Perhaps instructional technology/etc. would talk to us and offer suggestions but I don't expect them to assume any responsibility.
Totally agree that I am not the expert here, but in practice it looks like I may well end up calling the shots.
There’s nothing preventing talking to facilities and the architect, too.
And they are stakeholders in the project in addition to their expertise.
Money spent on design tends toward money well spent and expanding the design scope is how institutions and architects work together over the long term…neither side wants a good relationship to go dormant.
Particularly the physical plant, facilities management, and instructional technology.
Because that will give you a practical starting point of agreement with the professionals who will ultimately make the decision.
Lay a foundation for having an opinion formed from relevant considerations. Satistically you are not the expert here. At best you'll be a trusted collaborator. At worst, sand in the gears.
I mean everything has to fit withing the allocated budget, time frame, and support/maintenance criteria.
Good luck.