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Storing up future benefits
Tony Huggins from David Bailey Furniture highlights the importance of the humble cupboard and fitted storage unit within a modern educational setting, and offers some key pointers for architects to consider
Teachers are frequently disappointed by the lack of storage space
T
here is no doubt that schools are striving to be more welcoming, but that is difficult when you have buildings in serious need of refurbishment and where space is critical, possibly due to overcrowding and the need to create more classrooms.
These challenges are well documented, and it would be easy to ask what this has to do with something as modest as a storage unit? The answer is simple – clean, well-organised, vibrant units provide essential facilities for teaching professionals, but more importantly, well maintained colourful fitted units help to create the right ambience for pupils and their mental health.
The challenge for architects The most important focus for every school facility is of course, the students. How can we make the education experience better and create an environment that promotes wellbeing?
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The challenge is to meet the needs of a modern education environment where no two projects are the same. On one end of the scale, modular construction is continuing to play a more important role with the need for classroom space while at the other, a designer could be looking at buildings more than 100 years old, and in need of renovation to bring them up to standard.
Pressure on schools to meet ever increasing demands and challenges – exacerbated by the recent pandemic – means that staff are having to work with units which have been installed for many years. In many cases these have become chipped or damaged, making them difficult to keep clean resulting in the potential for spreading infection. Modern units are designed to minimise this risk and should be a major consideration for architects when designing new interiors for schools.
ADF MAY 2023
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