Committee on Architecture for Education

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ALBION DISTRICT LIBRARY BY PERKINS + WILL IS A 2018 COTE TOP TEN RECIPIENT. IMAGE: DOUBLESPACE PHOTOGRAPHY

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The Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE) is a Knowledge Community of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). We are a large and active group of over 10,000 architects and allied professionals concerned with the quality and design of all types of educational, cultural, and recreational facilities that promote lifelong learning in safe, welcoming and equitable environments. The CAE’s mission is to foster innovative and collaborative design of educational facilities and to heighten public awareness on the importance of learning environments.

  

  • 1.  Schools to visit in Texas?

    Posted 06-15-2018 07:18 PM
    Hello!

    Reaching out to the community to get ideas on what schools in Texas would be good to visit with our ISD clients in planning for a new 9th Grade Center / future High School?  

    Some big concepts we'd like to see in action and get feedback from users on the space include:
    • collaborative small group / larger group areas
    • maker spaces
    • distributed dining
    • flexible / adaptable space
    • innovative use of high degrees of transparency & operable partitions
    • teacher hubs
    • nooks 
    • spaces specifically designed for Project Based Learning, Blended Learning, and/or the Flipped Classroom
    • outdoor learning
    Thanks in advance for sharing ideas and projects!  


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    Meredith N. Contello AIA
    Project Architect
    Pfluger Architects
    Austin TX
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  • 2.  RE: Schools to visit in Texas?

    Posted 06-15-2018 07:32 PM
    As old as it is, it seems to function well on several levels: Spring Woods High School in SBISD (Spring Branch ISD). I’m a mentor there and I’ve observed the flow of traffic in the outdoor courtyard past the entry/guard gatehouse and flanked by two-story Administration offices/classrooms on one side and two story auditorium on the opposite side and the library directly across from the entrance. Kids eat lunch outside at concrete picnic tables and throw frisbees. Lots of green space.

    Staff is always present to monitor and guide, if necessary, student activities.

    The computer lab is on the first floor of the library in a separate room (this does not work too well, in my opinion as it is like a fishbowl)- but it does provide sight lines to the library staff to easily monitor.

    There are a few outdoor second floor corridors which seem urban and dark- but they do have staff present when the bell rings to make sure students don’t linger or fight.

    Good luck on your trip!


    Tara Imani, AIA, NCIDQ, ASID, CSI
    Registered Architect + Interior Designer

    Tara Imani Designs, LLC
    10333 Richmond Avenue, Suite 170
    Houston, TX 77042

    Work/Mobile Ph: 832-723-1798

    www.taraimanidesigns.com


    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Schools to visit in Texas?

    Posted 06-18-2018 05:44 PM
    I do not practice in Texas so I can not offer any help with the site visit part of your planning exercise and I do encourage you to review all of the concepts you noted. There are some exciting and beneficial concepts being implemented in the education sector around the country. I would however, also caution against disregarding more traditional layouts as you review the best combination of concepts for your client. it is possible that in some instances, across some curriculum or in some settings a traditional layout of; corridor down the middle with classrooms on either side, might work best for some areas of a school.

    I am not trying to imply that this has not already occurred to you but I felt it warranted mentioning. As architects we sometimes fail to realize that you can change the recipe for the better without needing to change ALL of the ingredients.

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    Scott Piper AIA
    SPM Architects Inc
    Palos Park IL
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    Original Message