The Making of Champions

Nov. 1, 2008
Who's who in education design? That's the question that jury members sought to answer as they reviewed 252 examples of school and university design.

Who's who in education design? That's the question that jury members sought to answer as they reviewed 252 examples of school and university design for American School & University's 2008 Architectural Portfolio competition. The five-member jury traveled from their home states of Florida, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington to convene in Overland Park, Kan., for two days and deliberate what qualities yield champion designs for education facilities. Among their considerations:

Is it a great space for learning?

  • Fits program.
  • Stimulates senses.
  • Fosters educational community.
  • Inspires occupants.

Is it multifaceted?

  • Quality and efficiency.
  • Community use, civic functions, town/gown, student life.
  • Adaptability.

How does it accommodate technology?

  • Building automation.
  • Learning tools.

Is it well-designed?

  • An inviting environment.
  • Relationship to context.
  • Clear diagram.
  • Interior/exterior connection.
  • Visibility.
  • Safe and secure; visual openness/auditory privacy.
  • Appropriate scale/ergonomics.
  • Building as a learning tool.

Is it sustainable and maintainable?

  • Stewardship of finite resources.
  • Holistic/integrate design that permeates.
  • Understanding cost of ownership.
  • Elemental/Compulsories.
  • Independently verified.

Sponsored Recommendations

How to design flexible learning spaces that teachers love and use

Unlock the potential of flexible learning spaces with expert guidance from school districts and educational furniture providers. Discover how to seamlessly integrate adaptive ...

Blurring the Lines in Education Design: K–12 to Higher Ed to Corporate America

Discover the seamless integration of educational and corporate design principles, shaping tomorrow's leaders from kindergarten to boardroom. Explore innovative classroom layouts...

Room to Learn: Furniture Solutions for Education

Preparing students for the future. Utilizing our experience in the education market, we offer a dynamic selection of products that pair technology with furniture to help stimulate...

Transforming Education: A Case Study in Progressive Classroom Design

Discover how Workspace Interiors and the Baldwin School District reshaped learning environments in Long Island, New York, creating pedagogically responsive spaces that foster ...