Case Study Snapshot
Client: Higher Education, University 
Solution: Skyfold® Vertical Operable Walls
Focus: Maximizing ROI through Space Optimization

The Challenge

A university and its design team set out to build a new learning center addition to their campus. Included in the new space were three large, flexible classrooms, but to future-proof their investment, the university needed a solution that could:

• Double the number of usable classrooms without increasing the building footprint
• Be automated, as no facility management personnel would be available to operate manual systems
• Maintain classroom seat counts, as losing even a few seats would have financial implications
• Deliver strong acoustic performance and long-term reliability

The Solution

The university, in collaboration with Modernfold Chicago, selected Skyfold’s vertically folding, fully automated operable wall system. Here’s how it met, and exceeded, the university’s expectations:

Instant Space Expansion

With Skyfold deployed, 3 classrooms instantly become 6, doubling the functional teaching spaces with the push of a button.

Preserving Seat Count, Preserving Revenue

Unlike traditional horizontal partitions that require large storage pockets and often reduce seating capacity, Skyfold’s vertical stacking saved space and added 2 extra sets per classroom (6 seats total across the facility).

That added capacity translates into significant long-term financial benefit:
6 students x *$1,500/course x 15 courses/semester x 2 semesters/year x 20 years = $5.4 million in tuition revenue

Skyfold helped preserve and even increase seat counts, meeting the university’s minimum classroom seat requirements and delivering measurable ROI.

*$1,500/course cost is based on 2020 numbers.

Automation Cuts Operational Labor by 80%

Manual horizontal folding walls of this size (30’ L x 10’ H) would require:

• ~35 annual labor hours for operation
• Staff trained and physically capable of moving walls

Skyfold requires just 7 hours annually, an 80% reduction compared to manual horizontal folding walls, freeing up resources and simplifying classroom conversion. University staff can now reconfigure rooms in minutes with the push of a button.

Space and Structure Savings

• Zero floor space lost to storage pockets (25 square feet saved per partition)
• A lighter system requires less support steel which provides cost savings during construction

Best-In-Class Acoustics and Warranty

Skyfold leads the industry in STC (lab-tested) and NIC (field-tested) acoustic performance which is crucial in education environments. Plus, its 10-year/5,000-cycle warranty provides peace of mind and long-term reliability.

ROI: Skyfold Pays for Itself in Under 2 Years

Between labor savings, seat count preservation, and increased classroom revenue potential, Skyfold isn’t just a premium product, it’s a strategic investment.

Its real-life performance often exceeds expectations. While the university used an estimated 20-year life cycle for its calculations, Skyfold systems have an estimated 30-year life cycle, pointing to an even higher ROI over time.

The Conclusion

For the university, Skyfold provided more than just a smart way to divide space, it delivered a way to maximize educational capacity, reduce operational burden, and capture millions in revenue. Backed by Modernfold Chicago’s expertise and installation, this solution sets a new standard for how a university can think about classroom space.

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