The Future of Educational Architecture and Community

As we move forward in time, educational architecture is evolving to meet the changing needs of students and communities. This shift is driven by the increasing importance of community engagement and social learning.

One notable trend is the integration of community spaces into educational buildings. For example, the new campus design at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) features a large public plaza that serves as a hub for student activity and community events.

This approach recognizes that learning is not limited to the classroom, but can also occur in informal settings. By incorporating community spaces, educational institutions can foster a sense of community and belonging among students.

The benefits of this approach are numerous, including increased student engagement, improved academic outcomes, and a stronger sense of social responsibility. By embracing this trend, educational institutions can create a more holistic and effective learning environment.

Educational architecture has a rich history, and one style that stands out is the Queen Anne style. Edward Robert Robson pioneered this style for school buildings, seeking to distance them from the association with religion that Gothic architecture carried.

Robson's influence can be seen in the work of architects Mitchell and Watt, who designed many Queen Anne style school buildings for the Auckland Education Board. They were inspired by Robson's vision of secular education buildings.

This style is just one example of how educational architecture has evolved over time.

Queen Anne style architecture was pioneered for school buildings by Edward Robert Robson, who believed Gothic architecture's association with religion was inappropriate for secular education buildings.

Robson's beliefs inspired the Auckland Education Board architects Mitchell and Watt, who designed many Queen Anne style school buildings.

This architectural style was a deliberate departure from traditional Gothic architecture, reflecting the changing values and priorities of educational institutions at the time.

The Queen Anne style became a popular choice for school buildings in Auckland, with many notable examples still standing today.

Groupe Scolaire Pasteur in Mions, France, is a prime example of incorporating wooden designs into educational buildings. The architects were given a fixed budget and only a month to design the project, which consisted of three preschools and two elementary schools.

The school has a student capacity of 1000, making it one of the biggest in France. Architects wanted to give each building its own image and create seamless inner and outer spaces.

In contrast, North Perlic School in Lons, France, features a contextual approach where the setting is in line with the Cami Salie Path. This creates large playgrounds and protective cocoons in the heart of the school.

The educational building consists of two south-facing levels that allow natural light and a panoramic view of the Pyrenees. It's divided into three separate buildings consisting of school, catering, and extracurricular activities.

The faceted copper roof that covers all the amenities is a striking feature of North Perlic School. The edged shape of the roof combined with alternating sequences of wood and concrete frame walls create lively and dynamic designs.

Andrew's Scots School is a great example of how educational architecture can be designed to foster growth and development. Located in Victoria, Argentina, this school features a unique design that activates the student's Scottish Heritage.

The school's design creates a learning journey through different environments, inspired by the flat beaches of the lowlands and the rocky highlands of Scotland. In the kindergarten division, students are grouped around open beach-inspired areas with padded surfaces, perfect for movement and play.

Each of these beach areas has a distinctive coral sculpture, giving each space its own identity. Integrated lightboxes in the wooden podiums allow students to practice fine motor control by tracing and drawing patterns.

As students get older, their territory expands, offering more options for learning. The highlands area features hexagonal basalt columns, inspired by the sculptural rocks along the Scottish Coast, which create an intriguing learning setting.

The flexibility of spaces at Andrew's Scots School gives teachers the opportunity to plan according to the students' needs. This approach allows for a more personalized and effective learning experience.

The C.O Kindergarten and Nursery in Hiroshima, Japan is a great example of community-focused design. The in-house café serves as a place of exchange for parents, children, and teachers, fostering a sense of community among them.

The café also functions as a dining room for the children during lunch breaks, promoting social interaction and a sense of belonging. The open windows allow passersby to glimpse the activities of the children, further blurring the lines between the school and the community.

In contrast, the Da Hop Kindergarten and Primary School in Vietnam prioritizes harmony with nature and culture, designing the school to blend seamlessly into its surroundings. The use of un-burnt bricks minimizes heat transfer, increases sound insulation, and reduces noise pollution, creating a peaceful environment for the children to learn and grow.

Community Anchors are the heart of a community, providing a sense of belonging and identity. They are the people, places, and organizations that bring a community together and make it feel like home.

These anchors can be local businesses, like the family-owned restaurant that has been a staple in the neighborhood for decades, serving up more than just food but also a sense of tradition and connection.

Community Anchors are also the public spaces that bring people together, such as parks, community centers, and plazas. They provide a physical space for people to gather, socialize, and participate in community activities.

The local library is a great example of a Community Anchor, offering free access to information, resources, and programs that support the community's educational and cultural needs.

Community Anchors are not just physical spaces, but also the people who make them work, such as volunteers, staff, and community leaders who dedicate their time and energy to making a difference.

The C.O. Kindergarten in Hiroshima, Japan is a great example of community-focused design. It's located in a rural area, about 60km away from the city.

The building's design is centered around the interaction between children and space. This is a deliberate choice to avoid traditional school practices.

The C.O. Kindergarten has an in-house café that serves as a place of exchange for parents and children. This café also doubles as a dining room for the kids during lunch break.

The building's windows can be opened to the prefectural roadside, allowing passersby to catch a glimpse of the kids' activities in the schoolyard and café. This adds to the sense of community and openness.

Located in Thành Phố Hòa Bình, Vietnam, the Da Hop Kindergarten and Primary School was designed by 1+1>2 International Architecture JSC in 2019. The school is set between beautiful mountains that can be seen from the classrooms.

The design of this educational building concentrates on the movement with the blocks interlocking with the rhythm, connected by a covered bridge corridor, appropriate and safe for children’s movement. The use of un-burnt bricks minimizes heat transfer, as well as increases sound insulation and noise reduction.

The school accommodates a wide range of facilities, including practice rooms, skill rooms, theaters, 4-season swimming pools, indoor and outdoor stadiums, aquatic gardens, and playgrounds. These facilities contribute to children’s mental and physical advancements.

The roof of the school has eco-roof insulation layers, rainwater gutters that help in watering plants in the schoolyard. The north-south direction of the school optimizes ventilation and natural lighting, while the south side uses a sun-blocking layer on the main face and the west and northwest cover the sun and wind through balcony openings.

Prototyping and Urban Design is a crucial aspect of educational architecture. It's where the vision meets reality, and the community comes together to shape the built environment.

In the design process, prototyping allows architects to test and refine their ideas, often using 3D printing or mock-ups. This approach helps identify potential issues and optimize the design for better functionality and user experience.

Effective prototyping can also foster community engagement and participation, as seen in the case of the "Design and Build" program, where students, teachers, and local residents collaborated to design and construct a new school. This collaborative approach not only resulted in a better-designed building but also helped build stronger community ties.

Prototyping for Social Change is a powerful tool for creating a better future. It allows designers to test and refine their ideas in a real-world setting, making it an essential part of urban design.

By using prototyping, designers can create a more livable city, as seen in the example of the "Woonerf" in the Netherlands, where a car-free street was designed to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Prototyping helps designers understand how people interact with their environment, and how to create spaces that promote social interaction and community engagement.

The "High Line" in New York City is a great example of this, where an elevated park was created on an old rail line, bringing people together and revitalizing a neglected area.

Prototyping also allows designers to test and refine their ideas in a cost-effective way, reducing the risk of costly mistakes and ensuring that the final product meets the needs of the community.

By using prototyping, designers can create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly city, as seen in the example of the "Bicycle Superhighway" in Copenhagen, where a network of bike lanes was designed to promote cycling and reduce carbon emissions.

Urban design can greatly impact the livability and sustainability of cities. A well-designed public space can increase pedestrian traffic by 30% and reduce crime rates by 20%.

Cities with green spaces have been shown to have lower temperatures than those without, resulting in a 1-2°C difference. This is especially important in urban areas where heat islands can form.

Mixed-use development can reduce the need for lengthy commutes by providing residents with access to amenities within walking distance. In the case of the Barcelona Superblock, this led to a 50% decrease in car usage.

A well-designed public transportation system can reduce traffic congestion by 20-30%. For example, the Copenhagen S-train system has been able to reduce traffic congestion in the city center by 25%.

The DH Triangle School is a prime example of innovative educational architecture. It's a structure that explores new possibilities of building design by interpreting complexity and simplicity in a logical way.

The building's three sides face different environments, which creates unique challenges and opportunities for design.

The north face of the building is constructed with vertical louvers that provide both privacy and illumination. This design choice makes a big difference in the overall user experience.

The east side of the building features a concrete wall with a triangle-shaped window that minimizes mutual interference. This clever design element implies the geometry of the internal space.

By incorporating different elevations and environments into its design, the DH Triangle School creates a dynamic and engaging learning space.