School design exhibition opens

An exhibition created to inspire the future design of schools and learning environments opens today at The Building Centre, London WC1.

Organised by The Building Centre, the exhibition will showcase current and future examples of education and learning environments – examining the needs of schools now, and in 20 years’ time.

Taking the UK’s current level of investment in school building – believed to be the single, largest programme for 50 years – as a starting point, the exhibition will look at 30 case studies across the country.

The evolution of school design from the Victorian period to the post-war era will be contrasted with the current building programme, showing how architecture and design have changed to reflect educational practice.

Issues affecting schools today – such as security, access, flexibility, sustainability, health, behaviour, performance, attendance, funding and increasing land prices – will be discussed.

Ty Goddard, director of the British Council for School Environments, says, ‘We are asking our schools and teachers to do so much more, in an ever more crowded and pressurised world. Learning environments are as important as our homes, offices and places of leisure, and should be treated as such. [We have] a one-off opportunity to design, deliver and equip buildings that are capable of supporting education reform, children and services, and of welcoming communities.’

London’s Learning runs until 5 January 2008. For more information, visit www.buildingcentre.co.uk