Architecture should not be side-lined when it comes to educational institutions. It can even help improve student performance.
In many countries, conversations surrounding education too often focus on a few topics. Funding is a perennial issue, as is the choice between going public or private. Some countries grapple with the standardisation and quality of examination, while others debate student debt, teacher pay and physical conditions.
Perhaps because it is largely free from ideology, school design is rarely discussed in the mainstream media – this despite growing evidence that the way educational institutions are designed and built have significant effects on the quality and outcomes of student learning.
A study conducted by Salford University and published in 2015 showed that welldesigned classrooms can improve pupil performance by 16 percent. It pointed toelements including light and size of the room, layout of the school and proximity to nature impacting student performance.
Professor Peter Barrett, Emeritus Professor at the university in Manchester, United Kingdom, led the study. “We found that the differences in the physical characteristics of classrooms explained 16 percent of the variation in learning progress over a year for the 3,766 pupils included in the study.
“The implication is that pupils learning in schools that rated highly across a variety of physical factors would do better than those in schools with poorer physical attributes.
“Design does matter when it comes to schools, and architects need to get the basics right, such as ensuring the school is orientated correctly, the windows are at the right height (lower down for smaller kids) etc.
“They should take into account future trends and possible changes in teaching methods, and they need to find ways of making the space more interesting,” says Prof Barrett.
CARING FOR THE YOUNG
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 104 من d+a.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 104 من d+a.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
timeless appeal
Cosentino’s new collections continue to offer sustainable, durable and innovative surfaces that seamlessly blend into and enhance any contemporary space.
FIND - design fair asia 2024 returns for third edition
Exciting design innovations and the latest trends from Southeast Asia under one roof.
Global design hotspot
Highlights of Ambiente 2025: An extensive and diverse global marketplace for consumer goods
the natural balance
Inspired by the serene beauty of dewdrops, the Antao Collection by Villeroy & Boch transforms bathrooms into wellness sanctuaries, combining sustainability with timeless elegance.
balancing act: nature and humanity
In this inspiration-led series, we asked Jay Liu and Alex Liu, co-founders of Right Angle Studio, to dream up a unique interior concept using mainly items from Space Furniture.
rethinking, remaking, reframing
Aoki Akio, the founder of DESIGNART TOKYO discusses the importance and legacy of Tokyo’s eminent art and design event, particularly for young creatives.
rebuilding communities
Shift2024, the much-anticipated conference returns with a stellar line-up of prolific architects making their mark in Asian urban design.
unparalleled italian craftsmanship
Filippo Arnaboldi, Chief Executive Officer of Frette, tells us how this ry lifestyle Italian brand is moving forward with times yet not forgetting about its existing legacy.
where the mountain meets the sea
This bespoke hillside residence features modern design elements, natural touches, and panoramic ocean views.
building a green home
This semi-detached house by Zivy Architects explores passive tropical design the delight in architecture and the issues of multi-generational living.