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A PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR COLLABORATIVE LEARNING BOASTS COLORFUL AND FUNCTIONAL INTERIORS
Housed in a Victorian triple-decker building located somewhere near central London is a very small, multicultural and multiracial school designed by London based designer Gavin Hughes. It is also a one-form entry school which means there’s only one class each year group. The school is built in response to creating a more personalized approach to learning with a space that can evolve through time.
Many of the pupils admitted to the school are from low income households and have been given the opportunity to learn. The school aims to increase the pupils’ readiness through developing their social and emotional well-being, enabling them to realize their full potential thus the reason for the one-form entry school set up.
Different strategies have been initiated to achieve the school’s goals including an educational brief that was developed in workshops with pupils, teachers and governors. A sample of the school’s ‘Inquiry-based Creative Curriculum’ was studied and the activities they aim to foster were identified based around pedagogical change towards a more collaborative learning environment.
Gavin Hughes created the primary school interiors using a palette of vibrant colors while working at London based practice Strategy Plus. Working with the Department for Children, Schools & Families as part of the Space for Personalized Learning project, a number of pilot spaces were being created in selected schools, each space shows the school’s interpretation of Personalized Learning. Hughes and his design team researched & designed a fully realized space that can evolve in response to creating a more personalized approach to learning.
Pop of color can be seen everywhere on walls, windows on learning booths, furnishings and floors created a fun, vibrant and interesting environment that would maximize information retention and stimulate participation among learners. Huge glass windows surround the space with pop of colors on the window glass offer not only visual attraction but also a passage for natural light that would occupy most of the lighting on the space together with the generous number of lighting fixtures that would provide ample lighting.
The floor is also an interesting site to see that resembles that of a target board. Color blocking is carried over in the learning booths where children can sit in pairs or more side by side with privacy. A colored glass window is also installed on each booth. Talking about functionality, a box installed underneath the tables that can slide out and be used as a compartment for crayons, papers and other supplies.
Colorful bean bags are used for a more creative activity on the center of the space. Tables and chairs on the other side of the space provides more area of learning with lockers on the side where learners can scribble away their ideas and imagination.
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