In the school district in which I live it is becoming more and more expensive to secure housing, which is contributing to decreasing numbers of students enrolling in public schools. Public school buildings are underutilized – in fact in the last year 130 schools in the Toronto District School Board were found to be operating at a capacity of 65% or less. Many of these schools are in parts of the city with socio-economic challenges. However, because of the sharp increase of property values the school board could easily be enticed close these schools and sell the land they own to make up for budget shortfalls. In fact they’re under pressure from the provincial government to balance the books or lose control of their budget entirely. However a “sell-off” feels short sighted as some demographic projections foresee the need for these school spaces in as little as ten years.
What opportunities arise when underused public school buildings exist in neighborhoods that desperately need lively creative public space?
What are our options in developing underutilized public spaces in sustainable and economically viable ways that continue to meet the needs of the community and serve public good?
I do not think there is one massive answer, but instead a number of great solutions that are in some ways context dependent. Here are two ideas that seem to be working in local areas and one thought of my own that I wonder how best to turn into reality.
Community hubs…
Often schools naturally act as community hubs as they are centrally located in residential areas and are one service that many people use every day. Parents gather and inevitably tell stories about their children or themselves, play dates are arranged, schoolyards are used after school hours and school events draw those who live in proximity.
Some projects capitalize on this potential and include basic healthcare centers, day cares, senior centers and activities, access to quality food (e.g. fresh food box delivery), vending space and housing services inside school buildings. Outside of regular school hours the community has access to resources and during the summer months schools are used by agencies and/or summer camps. Schools as community hubs can be extremely successful as they provide connection to communities and provide much needed services.
Partnership in food production at schools…
One school in Toronto has been very successful in securing a partnership with FoodShare, a local non-profit organization that specializes in food production and food literacy. The school had a large unused rooftop (which used to be a tennis court making it sturdy enough to carry the load of many vegetable beds and other garden needs). The space is so large that it has a covered area that is big enough to create an ample meeting space, has an area that can be rented out for special events (surrounded by blueberry bushes and fruit trees), many tables with shade umbrellas (more classroom space or eating areas) as well as 450 garden beds and 100 shitake mushroom logs. Students grow vegetables and fruits and sell them in a local neighborhood market as well as to two local restaurants. The students gain sales experience in addition to learning about all the stages of food production. Some of the produce is canned and technology students help to design labels. During the summer a few students are paid to maintain the garden. Students gain self-confidence and mentoring and the money that is made cycles back into FoodShare programs. This partnership has been extremely successful so far and continues to inspire other projects like it within the school board. Ironically, this is one of the schools that is under-enrolled, and slated for potential closure.
Innovative modular design
Due to the need for safety and surveillance in schools many school buildings feel more like prisons than wonderful places to be. The current paradigm of 21st Century Schools rethinks school design – instead of traditional classrooms there are spaces that are appropriate for specific activities such as spaces tall enough for big 3-D projects, art studios, science labs. Hallways are reimagined into useable and desirable spaces or “third spaces” that facilitate and foster creative and community interaction such as Campfire space, Cave space, Watering Hole space. Home like qualities are included in schools such as home-like bathrooms and soft seating, indoor-outdoor connection, etc. Many current design firms, such as Studio O & A, also explore third spaces in office buildings or corporate headquarters. Good places are welcoming and have spaces that we want to occupy.
I wonder if there is a way to renovate current underutilized school buildings to look more like these hip delightful environments that would be flexible over time so that these buildings could be used as office or commercial spaces and when more school space was needed they could become that again.
I would love to create an open conversation about the possibilities in situations such as these. One of the things I like most about conventions like the AIA CAE conference is the depth and breath of experience, imagination, and creativity amongst the participants. I cannot imagine a better forum to tackle the kind of challenges that educational architecture faces today. I look forward to some meaningful conversation (both virtual and tangible) in the weeks to come.