Dec 2 2009
Green environments aren’t just about saving the Earth and saving money; when employed in a school setting, they can foster a better education for today’s students.
That was the message of one of the nation’s leading educational architects when he addressed the "Eighth International Congress on the Development of Physical Infrastructure in Education,” held Nov. 25-27 at the Holiday Inn in the city of Durango, Durango, Mexico. The event was sponsored by Insituto Nacional de la Infrastructura Fisica Educativa.
Speaking as part of an international panel of experts, Gaylaird Christopher, AIA, principal architect and president, Architecture for Education, Inc., Pasadena, Calif., said green environments are inherently more healthful and aesthetically pleasing, offering a learning setting that is immediately supportive of educational activities.
“Going green yields substantial financial benefits,” Christopher said, “but in the educational environment, a sustainable philosophy impacts students, teachers and the community at multiple levels.”
He stressed that a people-friendly, comfortable environment encourages students to do their best, while reinforcing the importance of learning. Christopher said an energy-efficient environment actively engages students in their school’s conservation efforts.
Simple acts such as opening and closing windows, turning off lights, and recycling various materials reinforce the importance of environmental care for students on a daily basis, he said.
“Teenagers who typically would not consider turning off a light switch have a newly found passion for saving the world,” the architect said. “They have an innate respect for the environment: the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the animals and plant life that share our planet.”
Christopher, an award-winning architect whose career spans more than three decades, spoke on “The Impact of Green Initiatives on Student Learning: Non-Financial Reasons for Going Green.” Topic of his panel was "Space-Related Designs, New Materials, Equipment and Construction Processes."
The International Congress on the Development of Physical Infrastructure in Education, established in November 2002, is a forum created for the exchange of knowledge, information and experiences, with the purpose of innovating in the areas of educational spaces and installation.
Held annually each November, it is attended by representatives of the planning, design and construction community in Mexico, as well as guests from other nations.
In addition to keynote speakers, expert panelists and working groups from many nations, the conference featured a commercial exhibit of products and services in the field of construction and equipment for educational spaces.
Speaking before the international audience, the Pasadena architect stressed the importance of thoughtful, careful design in a world of endangered environment.
“As we designers and educators work with the developers of future planned communities,” Christopher said, “together we can minimize environmental disruption by siting residential, commercial and institutional buildings in appropriate locations, leaving open spaces in areas which are environmentally sensitive.”
He told attendees the effects of sustainable school designs can have far-reaching ramifications for generations to come.
“If the design of the learning environment helps students become better stewards of our resources,” he said, “that school fosters lifetimes of environmental success within our citizenry and community. Those children, as they go on to become parents, professionals, and leaders, will make this world a better place for all.”
Planners said the objective of the congress and of the exhibit is to generate the exchange of knowledge in the areas of quality and functionality in educational spaces, innovation in design, new materials, furniture, equipment, construction processes, installation, technological advances and social participation in physical educational infrastructure.
Subjects covered at this year’s congress included: designs related to spaces, new materials, furniture, equipment and construction processes; sustainable innovative systems involving installations and their relationship to educational spaces; social participation in physical educational infrastructure; and quality learning environments.
Under Christopher’s leadership, Pasadena-based Architecture for Education, Inc., focuses exclusively on national educational facilities combining creativity, strategy, functionality, and cost effectiveness.
Source: http://www.architecture4e.com/