Designing Learning Spaces Together: A Community-Informed Strategic Masterplanning Process with Rosan Bosch Studio

A Community-Informed Strategic Masterplanning Journey at Taipei American School 

During the week of January 12-16, members of the Strategic Master Plan (SMP) Task Force gathered once again to continue an important, long-term conversation about the future of learning at Taipei American School. With another visit from our partners at Rosan Bosch Studio, the focus this semester moved decisively from vision into deeper planning, grounded in observation, dialogue, and community insight. 

Led by Senior Architect and Designer, Ms. Annette Saidj, the visit focused on continued campus study and the presentation of early future scenarios for review and feedback. These sessions build on previous SMP Task Force meetings held in November, as well as broader community engagement that took place earlier in the SY24–25 school year. Together, these moments of listening and collaboration are shaping a master plan that reflects both the lived experiences of today and the aspirations of the future. 

Why This Work Matters 

This work is not about a single building or a single project. It is about creating the conditions for deep learning, well-being, belonging, and connection across campus. 

The Strategic Master Plan is designed as a long-term, phased approach rather than a one-time construction effort. By planning thoughtfully over time, the school is able to respond to evolving student needs while remaining grounded in its mission and values. The focus remains on learning first, with physical spaces serving as a support for how students grow, collaborate, and thrive. 

Students involved in the process have shared how their daily experiences shaped their perspectives. One student reflected on how studying in different parts of campus helped her see where spaces could better support focus, comfort, and connection. Being invited into the planning process made her feel that student experiences were genuinely valued, not just considered after decisions were made. 

A Learning-Centered Design Partnership 

Rosan Bosch Studio brings a learning-centered, research-based approach to educational design, with experience working alongside schools around the world. Their process emphasizes co-creation, ensuring that ideas emerge through listening and collaboration rather than being imposed. 

During the week’s workshops, task force members participated in hands-on activities that made planning visible and accessible. In one session, participants worked in small groups to reorganize learning environments, exploring how classrooms, shared spaces, and outdoor areas might better connect based on how students actually move and learn throughout the day. 

For students at the table, these moments were especially meaningful. Several shared how empowering it felt to contribute ideas grounded in their own experiences, and to hear those ideas discussed alongside perspectives from teachers, staff, and alumni. The process highlighted how many voices are needed to shape a school environment thoughtfully and responsibly. 

Focus Areas for Deeper Exploration  

As part of this phase of work, several areas have been identified through early research and community input as priority environments for further exploration: 

• Lower School Cafeteria 
• Middle School Playground 
• Lobby spaces 
• Office of Learning 

These areas do not represent finalized designs. Instead, they serve as starting points for deeper inquiry, allowing the team to explore how space, movement, and experience intersect in ways that support student learning and well-being. 

Our Community at the Center 

At the heart of the process is the Masterplanning Task Force, a representative group of students, educators, staff, parents, and alumni. The role of the task force is not to finalize outcomes, but to ask questions, share lived experiences, and help ensure the process remains grounded in the realities of life at TAS. 

Student participation has been a particularly powerful part of the work. One student shared that being involved helped her feel more connected to the broader community and more aware of the care behind long-term planning decisions. Hearing teachers discuss sustainability, access, and student needs gave her a deeper appreciation for the complexity of the work and the shared commitment behind it. 

Making the Process Visible 

Much of the most important work in masterplanning happens behind the scenes. To support transparency, the SMP follows a clear, research-informed process that includes: 

• Listening and observation 
• Dialogue sessions 
• Task force workshops 
• Synthesis and pattern recognition 
• Development of guiding principles 

This approach prioritizes understanding before outcomes, allowing ideas to evolve through reflection and feedback. A living timeline will continue to share what has been completed and what lies ahead, using confirmed milestones where possible and broader timeframes when plans are still taking shape. 

Looking Ahead 

As the Strategic Master Plan continues to develop, the goal remains clear: to create a future-focused campus shaped by the voices, needs, and ambitions of the TAS community. While designs will continue to evolve, the commitment to thoughtful process, shared ownership, and student-centered learning will remain constant. 

This work is ongoing, and the community will continue to be invited into the conversation. Designing learning spaces is not something done for a community. It is something built with one.