Smart Construction Practices for Building Better Schools
The designers and commercial builders of educational spaces are, once again, under pressure from the market to go beyond mere functionality. The need for smarter, more efficient construction practices has never been greater but this need and knowledge has been around for centuries.
Centuries of Smarter Buildings
The physical environment’s importance in learning has been known for centuries. The Greeks, particularly in the Hellenistic period, believed that the environment should support intellectual activity. Their designs featured open courtyards with access to natural light, plants, water features and fresh air.
Similarly, the Renaissance period (14th - 17th C) saw architects like Palladio design buildings with a focus on the natural environment. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, studies began to emerge linking physical environments to student performance.
However, in the mid-20th century, these principles were pushed aside by the rapid expansion of urbanisation and the demand for more schools. This drove a design focus on efficiency and cost-cutting. The rise of industrialised construction methods and the prioritisation of function over form led to standardised, poorly ventilated and overly utilitarian classroom designs. The emphasis shifted toward building quickly and cheaply.
Ignoring these principles is linked to various factors:
- The growing demand for rapid urban development.
- Economic pressures.
- An overemphasis on function over the experience of space.
- Aesthetic and psychological considerations were deprioritised in favour of practicality and cost.
Building Design and Educational Outcomes
Now, studies show that the physical environment directly influences educational outcomes. Factors such as natural light, acoustics, air quality and spatial flexibility play a critical role in how well students learn and feel within the space.
Natural light, for instance, has been linked to increased academic performance. Designers also often overlook acoustics in classroom design. Poor acoustics can lead to increased noise distraction and mental fatigue.
Sustainable Commercial Builder Practices
Certified sustainability has become a cornerstone in modern construction. Incorporating eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient systems and waste-reducing practices into educational facilities’ design and construction benefits the planet and students.
For example, green roofs, solar panels, natural ventilation, amplified natural lighting and passive heating and cooling systems greatly contribute to sustainability.
Optimising Space Utilisation
Space utilisation is a crucial aspect of designing educational buildings. Schools and universities are often challenged with accommodating diverse student populations in spaces that can become overcrowded or underutilised.
Flexible and modular designs allow educational spaces to adapt to suit various functions. For example, classrooms with movable walls can be transformed into larger, multifunctional spaces for group activities or events.
The Benefits of Biophilic Design
One of the most exciting trends in educational building design is biophilic design, which incorporates natural elements like natural light, large amounts of plants or drawing gardens into interiors, water features, views of nature and natural materials.
Specifically, a study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that students who spent time in environments with natural elements showed higher cognitive function and were better able to concentrate.
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