Project Outline:
Imagine, is the result of ongoing research into exemplar learning environments around the world. Analysis is set within a critical framework of key issues that impact upon the design of contemporary learning environments.
‘Imagine’ is a database that captures good school design best practice from around the world, aimed at providing inspiration for creating innovative teaching and learning environments.
Process:
Schools case studies are largely taken from the last 10 years, with an additional range of historic schools that act as a touch stone for school design development.
Imagine presents a broad range of schools; from single classroom additions to new learning campuses, kindergartens to higher education examples, cob-wall buildings in Bangladesh to Hi-Tech schools in the U.S. Our aim was to find and represent examples of learning environments from early years learning through to higher education facilities, providing a cross-section of schools around the world. We sought to find schools from as many different countries as possible, providing that they are innovative designs in the socio-economic context of that particular country and offer lessons that can be applied in the development of new schools in other parts of the world.
Outcomes:
The main outcome of Imagine is the openly accessible web resource. In addition a series of essays have been written to complement the case studies and to explore specific issues in more detail. A number of connections and opportunities have presented themselves through the Imagine project, which represent opportunities collaborating with designers and educationalists from other countries as well as within the UK.
Partners:
Support for Imagine:
“The website and the research behind it are extraordinary; it is a huge resource for anyone involved in design of educational facilities.”
Kevin Daly, Daly Genik Architects [USA]
“It is inclusively focused in that it can be useful to all interested in good school design: from design professionals to pupils. We find it useful for keeping in touch with current thinking. I would imagine it also empowers parents involved with schools due for rebuild – offering easy to access to GOOD ideas and QUALITY design – giving them a benchmark to strive for their children.”
Louise Ciotti, Architect, White Design
“I think your site is a tremendous resource for those of us at the stage of envisioning our new school design.”
bdrblog.wordpress.com 