Space for the adults of tomorrow
How do we shape the society of the future? How do we create places for our children to learn and flourish?
The school system, we grow up in, is of great importance. It shapes us personally, moulds us as people and thus shapes society itself. A good school system can also help to provide educational opportunities for all and balance social differences.
"Education is the
most powerful weapon
to change the world."
Nelson Mandela
New learning environments
Educational concepts have changed considerably over the years. Schools today are ideally characterised by playful learning, space for moving around and learning landscapes. As architects, we have the opportunity to positively influence the everyday lives of today's generation of pupils.
Our buildings are designed to create an atmosphere that is both animating and calming; an atmosphere that stimulates all our senses. We aim to achieve this particularly through
a high proportion of natural light
the integration of the surroundings and nature
a careful selection of materials and
the right balance between spaces for
interaction, concentration and retreat
The successful implementation of these ideas turns school buildings into more than just physical learning spaces. They become centres of creativity, inspiration and social engagement.
Education shapes society
Talking about the society of the future, a shared city and shared spaces, we are talking about the individuals who are part of this society. We are talking about the adults of tomorrow, the youth of today.
The 2023 Pisa Biennale was held with the name "La cittá condivisa. L'architettura per un nuovo equilibrio sociale" ("The shared city. Architecture for a new social balance"). With our contribution on the subject of educational buildings"atmosfere per gli adulti di domani" ("Atmospheres for the adults of tomorrow"), we were able to take on the subject alongside Snøhetta, Renzo Piano and many others.
With a selection of images from various projects, we showed a cross-section of our educational buildings, trying to give our answers to how an environment could look like that is conducive to learning and concentration, but also to relaxation and living together; an environment in which the adults of tomorrow can not only develop, but also thrive intellectually, emotionally and socially.
... anywhere
This topic has taken us all the way to Mayotte: The special location of the overseas department of France, the oldest volcanic island in the Comoros and part of the EU since 2014, naturally brought with it completely new challenges in terms of climate, culture and demographics. We were able to familiarise ourselves with and test the traditional building materials and construction methods on site. The Lycée Tani Malandi is intended to provide space for 2,000 young Mahorans and become a place for socialising and inspiration.
Lots of wood and natural light are the essence of our school in the north of Brittany. The Collège in Lamballe, which opened in 2018, was our third school building in France. Strict space requirements gave us little room for manoeuvre for alternative learning spaces. This made it all the more important to make the school as bright as possible. Abuilding-high atrium, visually connecting all levels, as well as the glazed façade and the glass roof, extending over the entire building, provide daylight in every corner of the school. In a before-and-after comparison, the pupils particularly praised the bright rooms, which make everyday school life easier.
What do the students think?
What happens when a school building is completed and the pupils make it their own? How is our building received? We asked our youngest users, including the pupils of the Unterdorf Elementary School in Höchst in Vorarlberg. One of many conclusions: Wood is also very popular with the younger generation. Generous outdoor spaces and room to move are important to almost everyone and as far as playgrounds and football pitches are concerned, "there could never be enough of them ...".
Text: Barbara Fontana, January 2024