REBUILDS
All parties should address where the world of teaching will be in 10-20 years time. Will we still have classrooms as we know them or will we have more flexible space that is geared around teaching via a computer hub?
Falcons School for Girls
" break-out strategy for teaching by providing brightly-coloured pods that allow students to work alone or in small groups. Will we still be using walls in the same way? Currently they are a vital teaching aid as they provide show-space for students work, particularly in primary schools. How much will schools embrace smart technologies like NFC? The space we provide our children to learn in has to be safe, engaging, well lit, comfortable, relaxed and practical. The materials we use are of paramount importance. Using smarter constructional materials like cross laminated timber, resulting in greater use of off site construction manufacture makes sense, whereas using materials that are too cheap and which offer no significant longevity does not. It’s vitally important that architects and designers challenge schools to think outside the box and this includes involving all staff and pupils in a process of iteration. After all it’s their space. But one major nut needs to be cracked and that is the funding issue.
Increased funding is crucial to allow architects more time to help teachers draw up an appropriate brief for their school project. Broadly speaking, the designs for new public sector schools are part of a lowest common denominator outlook and, with their lifespans of 30-50 years, a sad reflection of today’s throwaway culture. We feel that we should, as a country, be looking more positively and enthusiastically at the strategy of refurbishing schools and repurposing old buildings. The private sector is definitely leading the way in this regard and it might be time well spent if those advocating new build policy visited some of the many fine refurbishments to be seen the private sector. As we have shown above, some great things can be done in some very unlikely buildings. All it takes is collaboration, imagination and a sensible budget. !
Design & Build
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR EDUCATION – www.educationbusinessuk.net
Poor building design is impacting pupils’ learning, RIBA warns The poor design and quality of school buildings is damaging pupils’ health and learning, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has warned. RIBA’s analysis of government figures found that only five per cent of schooling across 18,000 schools were in top condition, and it has suggested that tightening budgets are having a negative impact on the quality of these buildings. According to a survey conducted by RIBA, more than 90 per cent of teachers feel that school design is important, but nearly half were concerned that their schools were too small, and one in five had considered quitting because of the condition of school buildings. RIBA is calling on the government to review the current school building programme, as it claims the ‘quest to limit time and costs’ represents a false economy. The institute argues that poor quality buildings are likely to experience higher running costs, as well as lead to poorer pupil performance and behaviour. Launching its #TopMarkSchools campaign, RIBA has listed three priority areas of reform. These are: reviewing how information and communication flows between schools, government and design and construction teams during projects; adopting a more flexible approach to the rules governing the design and size of new schools to allow for the best possible use of resources; and taking a smarter approach to the use of building management equipment that controls the internal environment of modern school buildings. Find out more at bit.ly/247fpg2
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Volume 21.5 | EDUCATION BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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