School Design

What makes a great place to learn?

Open House integrates the needs and visions of teachers, pupils, architects and planners in line with current developments in modernising the nation’s schools. Our programmes on school design provide a knowledge bank of information and inspiration for educationalists in particular, many of whom will be about to embark upon the sometimes daunting process of procuring new school buildings. They also offers a valuable opportunity for the whole community to become better acquainted with design issues connected to schools.

Open House Education Fund

Open House has built up considerable expertise as a leader in the research, development and delivery of education programmes that explore how architecture impacts on our daily lives. We have inspired thousands of young people and teachers to understand how architecture can be an invaluable learning tool and to enable them to develop the skills and language to articulate their views, which has proven to be invaluable during the consultation process for a new school build or refurbishment.

We are now inviting partners to get involved in our new initiative, the Open House Education Fund. At a time when the design of new schools will be key to the development of your business or practice, we aim to contribute Open House’s knowledge and expertise in delivering architecture education programmes using innovative ways of working in schools with teachers and pupils.

The Fund will enable you not only to draw on this expertise, but also to widen and evolve your business network and to share new thinking, with your peers, in how to undertake consultation with teachers and pupils. In addition, Open House’s unrivalled network of professionals across the property, planning and policy-making fields will share their insights directly with you to support your business in this area. The Fund has been developed in conversation with leaders in the field of school design within this network.

As part of the benefits of the Open House Education Fund, briefings by high-profile speakers influential in the field of school design will take place throughout the scheme. This briefing is open only to existing and new supporters of the Open House Education Fund.

If you would like to get involved, please contact Sarah Yates, Special Programmes Manager (tel 020 7380 0412, email syates@openhouse.org.uk).

Learning by Design

How does good design transform the learning process? Against the backdrop of transformation, how can we best identify the factors for success in the design of educational buildings? Now in its third year, Learning by Design, supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, aims to inspire a range of stakeholders – among them parents, teachers, governors, pupils and the wider community – to engage with design issues related to schools today.

The Learning by Design publications and resources explore a number of recently completed schools and early years facilities in the capital. They present the perspectives and evaluations of teachers, students, local authorities and others in the wider educational community. Distributed widely to headteachers, chairs of governors, education professionals and architects throughout the capital and beyond, they encourage the exchange of knowledge and lessons learned.

Bespoke programmes

Local authorities, schools and government departments have commissioned Open House to create and develop bespoke programmes and projects relating to school design and community consultation.  All projects are tailored to specific needs, drawing on the experience and expertise gained through our established and respected learning programmes, resources and knowledge. Our current initiatives include building explorations of Westminster Academy - one of the most striking new buildings recently completed in London, and designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris.

For more information about our programmes and research on school design - or to obtain a copy of the Learning by Design publications - please email learningbydesign@openhouse.org.uk.