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Learning through design S
chool buildings have evolved dramatically over the years as architects move away from traditional bricks and mortar. Instead, they are opting for materials which allow creation of more engaging structures that both stand out and positively impact teachers and students. Various studies and reports carried out over recent years have found that the overall design of a school building can have quite an impact on a student’s ability to learn, their attainment, aspirations, and ultimately academic performance. The RIBA Better Spaces for Learning report for example states that “school buildings have a significant and positive impact on pupil behaviour, engagement, wellbeing and attainment and on staff productivity, with the most comfortable and well-designed facilities demonstrating a 15% overall increase.” In addition, the University of Salford has found “clear evidence that a well- designed school can boost learning progress in reading, writing and maths”; as part of the ‘Clever Classrooms’ study, a summary of the HEAD Project by Professor Peter Barrett. As such, architects are recognising that the design of a school is extremely important and should incorporate plenty of space, creativity and colour, among other key elements. Some studies conducted in recent years have also cited that the design of the external learning environment can have a substantial effect on imagination, security, and play quality of pupils. In line with this, modern rainscreen cladding systems have progressed to a stage where they now provide architects and designers with the freedom to create aesthetically pleasing school buildings that improve the overall teaching experience for pupils. Take the new Corfield Building at
St Albans School in Hertfordshire for example. In recent years the school has experienced a consistently increasing take- up of science, technology, engineering and
ADF JUNE 2022
Rainscreen cladding systems are enabling architects to move away from the traditional school building design to create structures that inspire a new generation of students. Simon Gregory from Proteus Facades looks at the issue in detail
mathematics (STEM) related subjects by pupils. However, it was found that there was a lack of existing, fit-for-purpose space to house and support the growth and teaching of these subjects at the school. The building replaces a now demolished wooden cabin-like structure to address this need. Designed by PHP Architects and developed by Borras Construction, it includes a bespoke two storey maths facility on the upper ground and first floors along with a Combined Cadet Force (CCF) shooting range and office space within the lower ground floor. A key requirement for the design of the new structure was to ensure that the outside aesthetics showcased the state-of-the-art facilities within and the leading reputation that the school has for its STEM programme. To achieve the required aesthetic and taking inspiration from the old black boards and white chalk used in schools many years ago, PHP Architects specified
Architects are recognising that the design of a school is extremely important and should incorporate plenty of space, creativity and colour amongst other elements
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