Temple University sought to modernize teaching environments within the century-old Old Dental School building to better support contemporary instructional methods at the Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry. The project focused on transforming an outdated lecture room into the Timmons Learning Commons / Lecture Hall, a flexible teaching space designed to support collaborative learning and technology-enabled instruction.

O Z Collaborative renovated approximately 3,100 square feet on the building’s third floor, creating a tiered learning environment that accommodates 150 students. Custom-designed furniture alternates between oval and rectangular tables, encouraging group discussion while maintaining clear sightlines to instructors and presentation areas. This configuration allows the room to function both as a lecture hall and as an active learning classroom. Advanced audiovisual systems—including multiple monitors, speakers, and microphones—enable instructors to deliver dynamic presentations while supporting interactive student participation.

Interior materials were selected to balance durability, performance, and comfort. Luxury vinyl tile flooring provides long-term resilience, while acoustical ceiling clouds and sound-absorbing panels improve speech clarity and reduce background noise. Lighting, finishes, and furniture selections create a clean, contemporary environment that supports both lecture-based instruction and collaborative discussion. The completed Timmons Learning Commons provides the Kornberg School of Dentistry with a modern teaching space designed to support innovative pedagogy within the historic Old Dental School building.