Thursday, July 31, 2008

OH&S

well, the double floor idea has a flaw.

ran it by a nurse friend. "what about OH&S?" she said.


the cleaners are going to complain about cleaning the underfloor. and are the handholds to lift the floor panels going to be a trip hazard?

I think we need to rethink that idea, though it is cool and has potential.

maybe some kind of earth draw ventilation, vents outside bring it up through the floor hollows...

Monday, July 28, 2008

ALTERNATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

While looking at ESD principles in regards to the Module 5.
i also looked out for information on learning environments.

Steiner or Waldorf schools follow an educational and child development belief in Anthrosophy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldorf_education
http://www.skylarkbooks.co.uk/Shop/media/Architecture_Steiner.htm
http://www.rudolfsteinerweb.com/Rudolf_Steiner_and_Architecture.php
The architecture of steiner schools is interesting as it follows on fromn the educational philosophy .

another thing to look at is engaging the child and class in a range of activities in order to provide laerning opportunities. this is one such program. tho not appropriate for the Module 5, i thought i'd keep it in mind for the later projects.
http://www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au/

VOX POP - secondary and special needs teacher

Climate Control.
Sun-shade for windows.
Storage area - some portables are used regularly by the one teacher / class.
Data ports / Overhead Projector & Projector screen.
Communications - Most portables are stuck out in the far reaches of the school and have the most troublesome classes allocated to them.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

VOX POP - primary school teacher

"Depends on the function of the classroom. Secondary classrooms are the least restrictive. ideally, a whiteboard spanning the width of the front wall, a doorway not at the front of the class so it does not obstruct the teacher. passive lighting and large eaves to prevent glare from direct sunlight, particularly off the whiteboard.
Room to allow 26 students to spread out for a test, about 15 tables separated so 2 students can sit on the ends, a room about 6m deep does this. noise insulation is an oft neglected bonus. specialty classrooms must be able to fit equipment/machinery, particualrly wood and metal workrooms. safety also demads adequatespace to move and work.easily cleaned surfaces, especially in art rooms is recommended.
For primaryschool, they havezones. storage is paramount. The class needs to be able to be seated at their desks. 3desk clusters, 6 students per cluster, 4-5 clusters. a carpeted area where students can sit on the floor for group reading, discussions, showntell etc. In this areais a low comfy chair for the teacher and a small whiteboard on a easle contraption, with draw n storage at the back. a wet area with vinyl or rubber flooring for painting etc. exposed beams or scaffolding is almost essential to hang lines to display work. A wall with about 6 computers along it is common. The walls should be able to handle displays being pinned or taped up and removed frequently.
Also, it is useful to pair up classrooms with a small room between. This room commonly has a big table, a whiteboard, and a few more computers. This roomalso serves as shared storage. This roomshould have the capacity to be observed from either of the classrooms. Concerins doors allow this and also permit the two classes to be opened up to one big room for combined activities and minor assemblies.
Lighting is not as important in primary rooms. Primary rooms should have a large whiteboard too.That is all i can think of."

VOX POP - grade 5 girl 11yo

WHAT DO YOU WANT IN YOUR DREAM CLASSROOM?
"garden
computer area
smartboard
trophy case
calender
world time on analogue clocks
aquarium near wet area
wet area
book area
bean bag corner
pot plants
digital clock
teacher desk
newspaper area
storeroom
info pin up wall
bag room (anteroom)
own desk per student with locker drawer underneath

VOX POP - grade 3 girl 8yo

WHAT DO YOU WANT IN YOUR DREAM CLASSROOM?
"fairy dolls
aquarium
yoga teacher
high school style desks
couches
trophy case
dress ups
tv area
lunch area
playhouse
cupboards
art area
books area
teacher desk
green house"

VOX POP - grade 1 girl 6yo

WHAT DO YOU WANT IN YOUR DREAM CLASSROOM??
"smartboard
pethouse
dvd area/tv
dolls
aquarium
couches
dress up area
computers
pin up frames
pilows
desk for each student
trophy case
lunch area in each classroom, free canteen
reading area"

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Not all portables or demountables are boxes!!

This is a place called
"The Tin Shed" in St Albans
It is a Community Youth Centre like a YMCA
It was origianally a munitions store for the army, BACK IN THE 40'S/50'S.






As you can see its had some additions over the years.

First Day Esquise

ONE TRIANGLE...
BECOMES TWO ...
BECOMES 3...
BECOMES 4...
BECOMES 5...
...BECOMES ANARCHY!!

UNFOLDING TRIANGLES


The Esquisse task was to create the largest and dynamic interesting space with the minimum of materials.

Playing with straws at lunch, i made the most stable of structures, a triangle. We then explored the idea of repetition and how far we could take the form.

While we ended up with a stable egg form, it seeded the idea of many other shapes and ideas. We explored notions of material, connection, form...

i would have liked to see how a membrane of these shapes went in forming shape and space, but the straws was a quick quirky way to play with ideas.