Session 3: Inspiring Learning Spaces

Synopsis

A holistic approach to health and wellbeing in creating inspirational education spaces 

Speaker: Robert Hopkins, Regional Director, AHR & Royal College of Physicians

Completed in 2021, the new 160,000 ft2 northern home of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) in Liverpool, The Spine, is one of a handful of buildings globally designed to WELL Platinum and rated to BREEAM Excellent. The RCP are pioneers in all fields of medical research and needed a space that reflected this. The building houses a multitude of different learning spaces, with biophilic patterns used throughout, creating an environment that nurtures productivity and innovation. With a philosophy that people will feel healthier when they walk out of the building than when they walk in, The Spine is an outstanding example of using education design to inspire creative learning.

AHR is also designing the new 10,000m2 Health and Wellbeing Academy for the University of Huddersfield. The new faculty building for the School of Human and Health Science will encompass facilities that encourage users to engage strongly with the cutting-edge health education and research taking place there. The site will shape the future practitioners of healthcare and is on target to achieve WELL Platinum and BREEAM Excellent when completed.

Both buildings contain state-of-the-art teaching facilities for a range of health professionals and integrate biophilic interventions throughout. These are not only visually appealing but are also proven to have a measurable positive impact on people’s health through improved stress recovery, and sleeping patterns, ultimately increasing productivity.

Educational spaces which embed the health and wellbeing of their users into the heart of their design can not only impact the way future learning spaces are designed but can also influence health and wellbeing in design across a plethora of sectors. Our presentation will explore an innovative approach to education design, how biophilic interventions can impact people’s health and wellbeing and create salutogenic learning spaces.

What is the Metaverse, and is it relevant to education in Wales, or is it ‘childish’ gaming hype?

Speaker: David Judge, Executive Creative Director, Space Zero

For the last 12 months, Space Zero has been investigating the possibilities of this emerging technology and will be sharing its findings. These point to the far more positive use of this emerging technology in the development of school estates, school as an experience, and more powerful, immersive, memorable, and collaborative learning, rather than the digitally dystopian future people many fear.