Past, present and future thoughts on educational architecture

Every day is unique; however, you'll often find me in the early hours of the morning, fully immersed in the creative process. From crafting initial concept sketches to detailing designs.

Leading a team of architects, we collaborate closely with clients, GHD engineers, interior designers and contractors to ensure every project aligns with the client's vision.

I love working and collaborating with the end users of the projects, both students and teachers. Their dreams are bold and their gratitude is always so genuine. They have limitless imagination and a fearsome appetite for new things which gives us so much scope to try new things!

Much of my education took place in Central Europe, where architectural styles were influenced by the region's climate. I remember the buildings being characterised by thick walls, high ceilings, multiple floors and long internal corridors, with limited outdoor access. Reflecting on this makes me feel nostalgic (and also a little claustrophobic!)

In contrast, learning environments here in Aotearoa are now more flexible, featuring open-plan layouts that seamlessly integrate indoor and outdoor spaces. The focus is directly on students' well-being and how they will utilise the space, which represents a departure from traditional learning environments. This shift is something I find inspiring and progressive!

Embracing flexible ways of working has definitely become the norm. When we compare it to the traditional setup where we were confined to our desks, it's evident how much freedom was lacking. We all have unique learning styles, and the old approach, with its year-round desk-bound routine, didn't cater to those who struggled with that format.

There’s a refreshing shift towards flexibility in learning environments, championed by the Ministry of Education and schools alike. One noticeable change is the increase in class sizes, often with two teachers present. This brings more activity and noise into the classroom, however it's amazing to see how well the students have adjusted.

Outdoor learning spaces are also gaining traction, offering exploration, movement and natural elements to enhance the learning experience.

In essence, flexible learning environments are designed to accommodate different teaching styles, activities and group styles. They’re designed to be versatile, transitioning easily between different modes of learning to foster collaboration, creativity and engagement. With features like modular furniture, natural light, outdoor learning and versatile multipurpose areas and a focus on accessibility and inclusivity, these environments are designed to adapt to future needs.

The education landscape changed for good following the recent global pandemic. In my perspective, we're on the brink of a significant transition from traditional face-to-face learning to a hybrid model that incorporates online elements. This shift requires rethinking how we utilise both physical and virtual spaces—a trend that is being observed on a global scale.

Sustainability, inclusivity and adaptability, while following the Designing Quality Learning Spaces requirements are the core pillars that consistently feature in every design brief. The key is to ensure that the design fits within budget parameters, minimises disruption and can be delivered efficiently.

We’ve been able to achieve far greater efficiencies in our design process by re-purposing our approach, rather than creating a bespoke design every time, using consistency in materials selection – which contributes to savings in the construction phase, plus working with the same contractors across multiple projects really helps to stream-line the build process.