Inspiring & Healthy Learning Environments

Synopsis

Educational Environments: Promoting wellbeing & encouraging school culture to develop
Claire Broad, Associate Director – Interior Architecture, Rio Architects, Andrew Baker, Director, Rio Architects & Viv Buckley, Deputy Principal, Bridgend College

In partnership with Bridgend College we will be discussing their new STEAM academy in Pencoed. We will be looking at contributions from the Students that use the facility as well as those with involvement in the development of the landscaping.

Key talking points:
•The creation of ‘non-typical’ areas.
•Importance of visual connection between departments especially in a S.T.E.A.M environment.
•Increased open learning and social settings.
•The inclusion of biophilic design principles, light, air quality, connection to the external environment and inclusion of natural materials.
•The added benefit of Biodiversity; how it’s development and ownership strengthened the school culture.

How and if the above were successful in improving wellbeing and the development of the school culture.

Creating healthy, high performing Welsh schools
Lee Fordham, Architype

What does it take to create inspiring and healthy learning environments for students in Wales that will also protect the planet? Drawing on Architype’s experience of working with Welsh timber to create zero carbon Welsh schools, such as the RSAW winning ysgol Trimsaran, we can share learnings and data which looks at how school building performance can be optimised – from the early design stages to once it is occupied, helping the school and students to get the very best from their buildings and saving energy, carbon and cost. For example, our recently completed school in Welshpool is saving £60,000 in energy a year which is now being used to directly provide essential education support.