Dean Murphy Site F Athlone The concept for this school design is based around the Maria Montessori educational pedagogy. The philosophy is based around group learning where the teacher becomes secondary within the class and effectively acts as a mediator. Each class facilitates this method by placing students primarily in group scenarios and the teacher based in a neutral part of the class. Meeting spaces and group areas are provided in most classes with the majority consisting of double height space to place their hierarchy within the learning environment provided. In the more public spaces of the school a number of various conditions have been provided for students to congregate based on their individual preferences. These range from large scale areas such as the general purpose hall to individual study zones which inhabit various niches around the school. The same philosophy has been applied externally with a number external spaces have been designed to have ample sunlight and views of the passing River Shannon. In terms of materiality the school will consist of board marked concrete and corten steel cladding in some locations externally. These materials provide the durability needed for this building use while still providing the necessary aesthetics to blend in sufproject the walls internally will be left blank in order for them to facilitate students work. Overall the building acts as a blank canvas offering the inhabitants the opportunity to personalise the space.
Dublin School of Architecture
46
4th Year, 2012 -2013