interiors
within the classroom. It is too often the case that school
laboratories and tech facilities look uncoordinated and lacking in any design quality. Far from being inspirational and creating appeal amongst students, a miss-match of loose tables old fashioned, fitted benches and fume cupboards sourced at different times lacking any synergy in shape, colour and form has completely the opposite effect. Such environments look untidy, un-professional and out of touch with the way in which other subjects and indeed
science and technology is evolving. New, more contemporary designs which
utilise modern high specification materials in a less formal, more interesting and flexible way can provide the teachers with the sort of environment needed for modern pedagogy. Such designs need not be restrictive of more formal, whole class address/demonstration as and when needed, from any one of a number of equally well-suited locations in the room rather than from a single fixed teaching position. Crucially the contemporary, flexible, application based innovative room
layouts can change the image of STEM. There is value in involving the students in the design of new and or refurbished classrooms and in the selection of the furniture system which is a key element in the efficacy of the environment. This involvement gives the students ownership of their own learning space and promotes the engagement that this engenders. For most schools, the creation of a new
STEM facility or refurbishment of a laboratory is a 25-year investment which will have to serve several generations of students and a number of different teachers during that time. New age designs are highly space efficient, provide generous worktop space per student and excellent circulation space which encourages teachers to move around and engage rather than operating exclusively from the behind the same single fixed position bench all the time. This makes it possible to use the room in different ways and can help future-proof the new facility. Never compromise build quality or choice of application specific materials for things like worktops. Although budgets are always tight, selection should be made on the basis of best life cycle value rather than lowest first cost which is always a false economy. Mike Serridge is managing director at
interior space planners S+B UK.
www.splusb.co.uk
educationdab.co.uk 33
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