FEATURE FOCUS: INTELLIGENT CLASSROOM DESIGN © Arcadis IBI Group
Designing smart schools and campuses for the next generation
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n our first feature this month we hear from Richard Mallinson, Associate Studio Director, and Chris Pickup, Studio Director, of architecture and design company Arcadis IBI Group, who examine the state of smart learning environments today and look ahead to what might be round the corner. The world has changed over the past three years: COVID-19 has forever impacted the ways we learn, work and live, the climate crisis is impossible to ignore, and more recently, rising inflation and energy costs are having repercussions across all areas of society. Within this landscape, our education sector has experienced major turmoil. Such turmoil has the ability to bring about change, promoting fresh thinking and accelerating advances in new technologies, data and Artificial Intelligence (AI), which now offer us opportunities to address some of today’s challenges and create smart learning environments that are fit for the future. There is no doubt that, over the last decade, education providers have been adapting to provide more flexible and technology-enhanced environments, not least because technology is central to our daily lives but also due to the rise of hybrid learning and working. ‘Smart’ is no longer a buzzword; it is now an essential part of the fabric of learning environments to provide a high- quality and meaningful educational experience, attract and retain staff, and ensure the educational facilities and operations are sustainable in the long term.
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www.education-today.co.uk
So, what does smart mean for education in today’s world? We explore current trends and what might happen next.
A smart route in the race to net zero First and foremost, integrating smart technology into educational facilities can improve overall campus sustainability. According to the Higher Education Policy Institute, redesigning the day-to- day operations of universities and colleges to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate is no small feat. In the UK, they are responsible for 3.8 million students and 550,000 staff, as well as, in some cases, land and property worth billions of pounds. Great strides have been made by integrating technology, such as climate control and monitoring, but there is so much more to do, and too many facilities are in need of refurbishment.
Often, many higher education college buildings are inefficient in terms of how and when they are used. While primary and secondary schools can be 80-90% efficient due to timetabling, college learning spaces are often utilised less than 20%, resulting in ineffective use of space and unnecessary heating, lighting and servicing of spaces. The ideal DfE target for a college estate is 45% utilisation, so deploying sensor technology and responsive heating and cooling can create efficiencies more intelligently. Remote management and monitoring can control the consumption of electricity, water, gas, and other utilities. Equally, technology can facilitate a more
February 2023
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