FEATURE FOCUS: INTELLIGENT BUILDING DESIGN


more comfortable, sometimes at times when they need it the most.


Getting acoustics right is especially important when it comes to the health and wellbeing of SEND students. Since many SEND pupils are sensitive listeners, loud sounds can be triggering and so a good quality acoustic environment is essential for their wellbeing.


Maintain high air quality and temperature Achieving excellent indoor air quality should also be prioritised when developing an intelligent building for the safety of children since high quality air can reduce drowsiness, headaches, concentration problems, asthma and improve overall academic performance. Air quality can be impacted by a variety of factors including the building’s location, airflow and ventilation, temperature and humidity, building maintenance, cleaning products and practices and occupant behaviour.


Classrooms should be designed as healthy learning spaces. They should be fitted with modern furniture to suit students and also teaching staff. Modular furniture such as varying sized and shaped tables, soft seating, sofas and cubes, can be mixed and matched to create limitless configurations, allowing classrooms to be designed for full functionality and flexibility. Creating modular spaces which are made up of clever innovations, such as curved walls can increase visibility around corners and dedicated sensory rooms with blackout materials will create a safe environment where pupils with additional and complex needs are nurtured for, both proactively and reactively when required. Schools should also focus on spaces outside of the classroom which impact pupils’ learning. For example, in breakfast clubs and wraparound care, younger children will require open space and materials to play and explore such as building blocks, whereas older children may require different activities such as a pool table or computer suite. All important considerations to boost engagement in a positive learning environment.


Get the acoustics right


Acoustics can often be overlooked in the design process. Architects might design a whole building around glazing to maximise daylight, while discussions about improving the sensory experience of noise for users are not as common. However, with the Department for Education laying out 93 minimum performance standards in its Acoustic Design of Schools: Performance Standards Building Bulletin, acoustic considerations play a crucial role in any school building.


To allow pupils to focus on lessons, and increase concentration and productivity, treatments such as acoustic wall panels, soundproofing and ceiling baffles can be integrated into the classroom. These materials absorb sound and stop it from transmitting


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back into the room or through a partition into a joining space. Acoustically-treated spaces will supply a much better teaching and learning experience thanks to better sound quality, which in turn creates conditions for better concentration, achievement and wellbeing for pupils and teachers alike.


Designing a calm environment with better acoustics will also create an environment for those needing extra support and a safe place. Quite often, children in care have increased levels of uncertainty and insecurity so therefore, implementing calmer and more welcoming areas within schools, where the right acoustic treatment is used, can help them feel safer and


It’s essential to keep fresh air circulating as best as possible throughout the school environment, as well as ensuring ducts and vents aren’t blocked or obscured by furniture. Whilst the age-old approach of opening windows is still effective, schools should consider installing HVACR Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) to enhance ventilation. This whole-building ventilation system supplies and extracts air throughout a building. With heat recovery systems typically recovering about 73–95% of the heat in exhaust air, adopting this can significantly improve the energy efficiency of school buildings.


Safeguarding pupils goes beyond implementing policies, training staff and embedding a culture, it requires strategic design of intelligent school environments. From improving visibility and enhancing natural light to providing flexible and ergometric spaces, design can create safe and nurturing environments for pupils. By prioritising these design elements, schools can foster safety and wellbeing, and enhance learning outcomes.


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