Life Lessons for Learning Five of our influential women explain why a creative approach to design for education is more important today than ever before. Focusing on space that promotes children’s mental and physical wellbeing is paramount to counter the impact of a worldwide pandemic. They reveal how design thinking has changed to respond to a postCovid-19 world and why encouraging more females into the industry is essential to redress diversity and balance inclusion.
Sue tells a story about Devonshire Primary School in Blackpool which sums up her passion for designing educational buildings and her desire to create socially motivated architecture.
Sue Emms, North Region Chair
“It was my first education building, and we engaged with the pupils throughout the design process. At the school opening, I stood on a play deck with the head teacher, and come the end of the day when the bell rang the pupils didn’t want to leave. They just could not believe someone had listened and created something for them; such an uplifting, secure environment. The head and I looked at each other, and we knew we’d done our job correctly.” Sue says it’s great to win design awards, “but when students and pupils are inspired by the space, and you see education and attainment standards going up and anti-social behaviour
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