Project/build work, hands-on, and specialized learning cannot be limited to a single-use space.  Critical thinking involves multiple stages of learning, including individual research, collaborative brain-storming, hands-on exploration, project creation, and reporting findings or presentation. Large multi-purpose Flex Labs (FL), Project Labs (PL) and Arts Labs (AL) are labs to be used to integrate these activities throughout the school day. These spaces support different types of interdisciplinary exploration by providing a flexible space for messy project creation, low-intensity science labs, experiential learning and/or curricula needing specific equipment or access to water and tools.

Compared with a more traditional approach which limits these activities to a small number of highly specialized spaces—characterized by fixed equipment, limited use and high costs, multi-purpose labs are designed to support a wide variety of project types and adapt easily as future demands change.