ARTICLES OF INSPIRATION

FRANCIS KÉRÉ’S S.L.A.K. CAMPUS

This article discussed Francis Kéré’s innovate educational campus built in Turkana County, Kenya. His holistic approach to the design integrates a structural passive cooling system that mimics the shape of Termite mounds. Kéré utilized local labor and materials in order to encompass traditions and handcraft of the vernacular. The primary goals of the design were to create a self-sufficient structure that keeps the climate in mind while paying specific attention to the surrounding environment and culture.

Eco Waterbank School

Constructed in a more rural part of Kenya, the Eco Waterbank School has strayed from the four classroom layout in order to create a simple, low-tech alternative. Targeted towards a building model that can positively impact developing countries, the Eco Waterbank School provides twice the accommodations of a traditional school placing emphasis on self sufficiency. Organized around a central courtyard, the facility is designed for programs that cover fields relevant to the nearby population such as animal conservation, community agriculture, and fuel conservation cooking.

Gensler Design Trends

This article discussed emerging trends in the design of education buildings. With the event of the COVID-19 pandemic still present, the choice between a virtual and physical environment was at the forefront of design trends. There is a significance in creating holistic designs that prioritize collaborative spaces in which mental and social health is a target. There is a trend in creating visceral experiences to help students connect with peers, faculty, and ultimately, the world. It was specified that this experience is not one optimal one, but rather multiple, that benefit a diverse user group.

ARCHITECTURE & AID INNOVATIONS IN EDUCATION

This article discussed existing design precedents that sought to address educational infrastructure issues within informal settlements. The primary issues with these structures were their lack of sensitivity to the surrounding culture and environment. Materials used in these projects were not sourced locally, adding unnecessary shipping and import expenses. This lack of a holistic approach caused a modern design to become merely dark classrooms enveloped in iron sheets. A lack of information regarding the climate, and surrounding vernacular caused improper thermal and acoustical insulation within the building.

This article outlined seven emerging trends and innovations within the design of education buildings. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, exterior study areas and socially separated zones have risen in prevalence. Materials that help facilitate flexibility in furniture arrangement have consequently grown in usage. For example, terrazzo flooring is durable, yet allows for easy movement of large items, such as desks. Acoustics have always been a priority in educational buildings, but their aesthetic has taken new forms. There is also an emerging emphasis placed on well-centric and sustainable materials and practices in the built environment.