When a school needs temporary classrooms, the early questions are usually about how quickly the units can arrive and where they will sit on site. What happens inside tends to get less attention, even though the interior is where pupils and staff spend every hour of the school day.
A well-finished room gives children and staff a better place to learn and work, so internal finishes need to be part of the initial discussion.
This article dives deep into how internal finishes should vary between different types of space, and how our modular solutions at Maxi Space address each one.
Because off-site manufacturing takes place in a controlled factory environment, internal finishes are installed with consistent quality before the modular buildings reach site. The interior is planned as a whole, and the school avoids a fit-out running alongside live lessons.
Nursery and Primary Classrooms
We can design modular classrooms for younger students around the details that make a learning environment feel welcoming. Various innovative designs that we offer can be used in the design from the very first conversation about your project, including features suited to the more hands-on and creative nature of nursery spaces. This allows us to create spaces that are tailored to the needs of nursery and primary education.
Secondary Classrooms
Heavy footfall happens here. Groups of students are in and out of these classrooms all day, so durability is an important consideration. We can use durable finishes, acoustic solutions and considered lighting within our temporary classrooms, with different options available depending on how the room is intended to be used.
SENCO and Sensory Spaces
With these spaces, flexibility is an important part of the design. They can serve a number of purposes, from teaching and support sessions to therapy. We can create modular classrooms around the specific requirements of each project, including open-plan spaces, integrated facilities and accessible layouts. Our project for EdAct in North London is one example, where we designed a space that could support both teaching and therapy while also meeting accessibility requirements.
Art Rooms and Wet Rooms
Art rooms and wet rooms come with different demands compared to a standard classroom. We can specify wipeable wall finishes, storage for equipment, and flooring that can handle spills. These options can be discussed as part of the design of our temporary classrooms, which ultimately gives schools more flexibility when creating specialist teaching spaces.
Science Laboratories
Creating a science lab within a temporary classroom involves more than altering the layout. Along with the services required for laboratory equipment, flooring and worktops need to be considered carefully, and with us, the specification can be discussed from the beginning of the project. Off-site manufacturing allows most of this work to be completed in a controlled factory environment.
Finishes that Move with the Building
The finishes of a modular building are part of the design, right from the start. We offer different internal and external options, so a finished space can reflect exactly what is required. Furthermore, if the building needs to be relocated in the future, the finishes move with it, keeping the same look and feel. Our lift and shift service helps transfer the modular buildings.
Planning Finishes Early
Having these conversations early into the project gives us more opportunity to explore the different options available and understand what each space needs. We work with schools throughout the design process, with the RIBA Plan of Work providing a clear structure for these discussions.
If you are considering temporary classrooms for your school, visit us at Education Estates 2026 in Manchester, stand 641, October 20-21. Alternatively, contact the team to discuss your next project.