Architecture for Education
Early Childhood
Early childhood or pre-school education is a complex form of educational socialization. It extends beyond early instruction and involves the care and nurturing of children – meeting the health, safety, nutritional and emotional needs necessary for their future educational success. The challenges in designing for such a nurturing environment involve a very humane sense of purpose and vision beyond traditional school based models. Young children are focused on the present and as such are less cognitive and function oriented than adults. Thus, design should create a canvas for the child’s and teacher ’s creative living and learning as an expression of their imagination.
Primary-Secondary
Guiding students through their first steps in achieving basic literacy up to the completion of their compulsory education has been more affected than any other building program by technological advancement and growth. In a field with a wide variety of educational missions and philosophies, the need to shape and provide an appropriate physical environment conducive to learning remains pertinent in its many manifestations. With diminishing budgetary and environmental resources, the race to keep current and responsive to ever-growing learning needs requires an experienced vision and imagination deeply grounded on a successful track record.
Higher Education
Within the realm of teaching, higher education also involves research and social services activities that present an expanded educational agenda evidenced by the variety of building types and relationships between these in campus design. Whether speaking of an institution of higher learning, research or vocational training, the disciplinary requirements become far more exacting not only for the docent facilities involved but also for the supporting structures like sport, recreational and social facilities that further envelope and reach beyond the educational community.
Selected Projects
CLICK ON THE PHOTOGRAPH FOR ADDITIONAL PROJECT INFORMATION
