December 12, 2007
· Filed under organisations, school buildings
‘The Finnish National Board of Education organised an international conference on the learning environment and its relation to pedagogy, student achievement and well-being at school in April 2006, offering visits to local schools. The conference emphasised the importance of physical factors for schoolwork. How can we create innovative and inspiring learning environments now and in the future, what are the criteria for evaluating school buildings, and what kinds of demands does fast-developing information technology pose?’
more…
You can find a list with links to the lecturers work, here…
Below are pictures of three schools (250 students and under). Flexible, multiuse buildings that combines ecological ideas and construction with a playful design.
1) Hosmarinpuisto School
more pictures of the school here
2) The Aurinkonoulu School
3) Topparinmaen school
The Building
• An open and flexible learning centre
• Agora – the central square, which is the functional centre of the building: lunch room, library, assembly hall
• Classrooms are around the Agora
• Basic ideas: openness, transparency
• The architecture: visible structures
November 30, 2007
· Filed under organisations
Excellent source of awarded projects DesignShare, Designing for the Future of Learning are (web) publishers based (i believe) Minneapolis that anually award projects and also works as a network of educators, designers and architects that work worldwidely to improve educational building standards!!
Also, an excellent organisation/publisher is the UK based SchoolsforLife
November 30, 2007
· Filed under organisations
The American Architectural Foundation (AAF) and Target are in the process of judging entries in “Redesign Your School—A Contest of Scholarly Proportions.” Open to 9th– through 12th–grade students, this national ideas contest asked students to submit their vision of ideal places to learn in the 21st century. Scholarships up to $10,000 and other prizes will be awarded to winners, eight of whom will also be invited to Washington, D.C., to present their ideas. Winners are scheduled to be announced on or about October 1, 2007.
There is also a series of publications that report annually on school design projects , learn more
learn more about AAF specs + mission here
view the (awesome) target project here
November 30, 2007
· Filed under organisations, school buildings
The Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE) is a large and active group of architects and allied professionals concerned with the quality and design of all types of educational, cultural, and recreational facilities. Contact : Donnie Kenneth
| cae@aia.org
Since 2004, CAE is annually organizing the ‘Educational Facility Design Awards’ . Learn more about the guidelines here
Here are some of the winners, i picked up listed by year of competition, to find out more or download the specs- go here
2007 Winners
- Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Kirkland, Wash.
Mahlum Architects, Seattle
- Blythewood High School, Columbia, S.C.
Perkins + Will Architects, Chicago
- Frederick Douglass – Isaac Myers Maritime Park, Baltimore
Ziger/Snead LLP Architects, Baltimore
- Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center, Hyde Park, N.Y.
RM Kliment and Frances Halsband Architects, New York City
- Seminar II, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Wash.
Mahlum Architects, Seattle
- Sidwell Friends Middle School, Washington, D.C.
Kieran Timberlake Associates, Philadelphia
2006 Winners
- Louis and Clark School at Seattle, Northwest Architectural company
- Mifflin School, Pitsbourg PA, Strada LLC
- Merit Award The Bay School San Francisco, CA, LeddyMaytumStacy Architects
- University Academy Charter High School Princeton, NJ, KSS Architects
- Centennial HT Science & Technology Centre Ontario, Canada, KuwabaraPayne McKenna Blumberg Architects
- North Bay Environmental Learning Center Baltimore, MD,Marks, Thomas Architects
- Award of Excellence PreparatoriaEcologicade la Universidad de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico, BernadoHinojosa, Intl Associate, AIA
2005 Winners
- James Stewart Centre for Mathematics McMaster University; Hamilton, Ontario,KuwabaraPayne McKenna Blumberg Architects
- Greenwich Academy Upper School Greenwich, Connecticut Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LL
- Carver Academy and Community Center San Antonio, Texas Lake / FlatoArchitects, Inc, The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising / FIDM Los Angeles, California
- Clive Wilkinson Architects, Warren SkaarenEnvironmental Learning Center at Westcave Preserve Dripping Springs,Texas
- Robert Jackson & Michael McElhaney Architects, Francis Parker School San Diego, California Lake / FlatoArchitects, Inc.
- Islandwood Bainbridge Island, Washington, Mithun+ Architects + Designers + Planners
- Horace Mann Elementary School San Jose, California, Moore Ruble YudellArchitects & Planners
- Joseph A. Steger Student Life Center University of Cincinnati; Cincinnati, Ohio, Moore Ruble YudellArchitects & Planners
- P.S. 106 Library, Rockwell Group
2004 Winners
- Diamond Ranch High School, Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. learn more here
- Hostetter Center for the Arts at the Pingry School, find out more here
November 30, 2007
· Filed under organisations
The 2008 expo has already passed, but perhaps we can catch up with the 2009 one 
The School building expo features over 170 booths of everything needed to create both the building envelope and the unique interior needs of schools and universities. From walls and floors to security and comfort systems, School Building Expo is the one place to see everything it takes to build a successful school facility.
There is also a conference held :
‘a world-class program offering practical learning, the chance to exchange best practices, and up to 16 AIA-approved CEU learning units for architects to meet continuing education requirements. We feature leading architects and school speakers, keynotes, workshops, and school tours. The focus is on practical, how-to information you can use on the projects you’re working on now’
November 30, 2007
· Filed under organisations
The CEFPI Foundation & Charitable Trust is a non-profit organization established to generate funds to foster research and scholarly study regarding the impact of school facilities on student achievement and the communities they serve. The CEFPI Foundation endeavors to add to and improve the body of knowledge relating to learning environments and best practices of education facility planning.
CEFPI also, organises an annual School Building Week : ‘ school districts in every community may engage in activities and celebrations that channel students, parents legislators and other affected constituencies to consider the role the school building plays in the educational process’ Among the activities of the School Week, is a student design competition, inviting students to design their own school! learn more
CEFPI are located in Arizona state but engage in nation wide and international projects. Partners include: US department of energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 21st Century School Fund, American Architectural Foundation, AIA the American Institute of Architects and more. learn more
November 20, 2007
· Filed under organisations
New Visions for Public Schools, founded in 1989, is the largest education reform organization dedicated to improving the quality of education children receive in New York City’s public schools. Working with the public and private sectors, New Visions develops programs and policies to energize teaching and learning and to raise the level of student achievement.
