A lesson in good practice

Architecture For Humanity has organized an important competition on classroom design. The competition challenges architects and designers to work with a school in need to design the classroom of the future. The interesting part is while the design team gains name recognition and professional kudos for their good work the school that wins in this competition gains fifty thousand dollars!

In the briefs that are assembled the competition Architecture For Humanity made a few things abundantly clear.

First there is a clear need for inventive, creative, inspirational design in our schools. For too long we have looked at school buildings as commodities or factories for learning. They need a new infusion of vision and hope.

Second this is a global issue. The competition provides for a site in India and a site in Uganda, each with their own unique problems, but still with a clear need for innovative thinking. In the US we have a range of needs as far apart as these two countries. Creative thinking may solve one set of problems, but leave us wanting to solve others. There is not a one size fits all solution.

Finally, this issue requires partners. The solutions to creating an amazing school facility do not lie in the mind of a single genius designer. They are shared in the imagination of children and teachers, parents and neighbors, designers and architects. If we can find new ways to tap the range of these ideas we will surely see new designs evolve and creative ideas flow.

The competition itself is a wonderful step towards developing a more robust dialogue about school design. Take a look at the link and think about potential partners you might already have, or new ones you want to find. Engage in the challenge. I know I will.