The main objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an active learning space (ALS) in supporting student development of effective communication as a transferable skill. A fourth-year medical science course was taught in two different settings, an ALS and a fixed-row classroom, by the same instructor. Participants preferred the ALS for supporting communication skill development, despite it having no quantifiable effect on their communication apprehension. The ALS had a significantly higher impact than the fixed-row classroom on groupwork/collaboration and student-student interactions. This study highlights the importance of the physical classroom space for fostering students' development of communication and collaborative skills.