Focus on learning
Designing space for optimal learning Anne Keeling introduces a school campus designed for 21st century needs In September 2016, Geneva English School (GES) in Switzerland opened a secondary school, and next academic year will see GES Secondary move into a new building. Its primary school is based in an elegant 19th century mansion designed by architect J-L Brocher. The new school will benefit from the skills of another renowned architect, Dirk Jan Postel, this time creating a contemporary learning environment that is designed for the needs of young people of the 21st century. Dirk and his team at Dutch-based Kraaijvanger Architects have carved a niche for designing innovative educational projects. Previous work includes The British School in the Netherlands Junior and Senior Schools, American School of The Hague Early Childhood Centre, Almere Art School, Voorlinden Museum, and Amsterdam Art Centre. He is currently leading the design of BSN (The British School in the Winter
Summer |
| 2017
Netherlands) Connect due to open in 2018, and the interior of the new GES Secondary. Designing where it matters most The process of designing a new style of school interior – one that reflects life today, that welcomes and inspires young people to learn, that responds to their huge developmental needs, as well as providing the best possible environments for teaching – has taken many months. Significant time has been devoted to collaboration between the architect and the entire school community; a process that Dirk is following at both BSN and GES to create a design that exactly meets the learning needs and ethos of each school. Dirk talks about the experience at GES: “There have been very intense conversations with so many members of the
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