So, what should modern design for educational institutions look like? First and foremost, the design should align with the primary function of the institution – education. Architects and designers must integrate architectural elements such as lighting, cutting-edge technology, energy efficiency, and sustainability to create a functionally harmonious learning environment. Architectural design must always consider the location, as our main goal is to seamlessly blend the building into its surroundings and enhance the lives of those who interact with the space.
Secondly, it is crucial to remember that children in educational institutions are developing both physically and psychologically, learning, and exploring the world. They need a space that fosters their own imagination, rather than that of the architects and designers. Therefore, we must provide an environment that allows children to cultivate their own creativity and imagination. Our primary challenge is to ensure that the created space does not hinder them. We must avoid an overload of colors and details that distract children from their learning.
However, recreational areas should maximally promote active rest, communication, and socialization among children. When we talk about the design and architecture of educational institutions, it is primarily about functionality and safety, not just showcasing creative skills for attractive pictures on social media. For instance, we do not place spaceships on the ceiling because not all children dream of going to space.
Nowadays, many children suffer from a lack of spaces where they can be physically active in ways that interest them. School stadiums occupy large areas allocated by developers according to regulations, often leaving little room for institutions to make them engaging. Typical sports fields are suitable for competitions but not for children's everyday need for activity. Therefore, modern Ukrainian designers must seek new forms and approaches to creating spaces for children's physical activity.
For instance, by reducing the size of standard fields (football/volleyball), there is an opportunity to create more interesting and engaging solutions that better attract children to physical development. Observing children's behavior on playgrounds confirms this: they prefer climbing structures, slides, and hills over bars and beams. These structures also enhance children's physical skills, as they grab onto nets or maintain balance. Such solutions, like standard exercises, target different muscle groups. The primary need of a child is not to do 10 pull-ups but to have the strength to do so when necessary.
If we integrate activities resembling pull-ups into the design, children will be able to perform them on traditional equipment when required. Through thoughtful design, we promote physical activity and health, setting a trend for an active and healthy lifestyle.
Another trend we can introduce to children is environmental care. If we incorporate design elements into the interior that remind them of waste sorting and the use of eco-friendly materials, it will be a significant investment in our future. We all live by certain behavioral rules that can be integrated into space through design, thus influencing children's development during their education. These could be design solutions where children move through school corridors following traffic rules, learning about safety in the outside world through play. Educators and teachers should also refer to these elements of decor as aids. If we want to prepare children for the future, for IT professions, business, management, teamwork, or develop their public speaking skills, we can integrate additional elements into the design and provide them with certain resources. Such solutions will simplify the work for teachers, and children will be better prepared for real life. For example, by installing mobile desks in classrooms, which can be moved, we solve the problem of quickly changing the layout for team projects. We have to anticipate the specific activities children can engage in in a particular room and predict their creative transformations. If we create an amphitheater and include something resembling a stage in the space, then children who aspire to be in the spotlight can improve their public speaking skills. We provide children with resources in the surrounding space and influence their ability to speak and perform in public through such design solutions. Setting a trend for reading among children is one of the most important needs of educational institutions. The elementary ergonomics of libraries in old schools do not encourage children to read or spend time there. For most people, the library is perceived as something inconvenient and boring. However, with a well-designed space, this attitude can change. School libraries have always had some rigid structural arrangement of bookshelves, desks, and uncomfortable chairs. If the surrounding space is unappealing, then spending a lot of time there is not desirable. Right? In everyday life, most people do not read a book at home sitting at a table on a hard chair, so why not give children the opportunity to read books in a way that is convenient for them? During reading, we periodically change the position of our bodies, so if we add comfort to this process, first of all, we will get rid of scoliotic stories, and secondly, we will engage children in spending time and relaxing with a book. If a child sits in a cozy cocoon-shaped niche when they simply need to read the works of Hryhoriy Skovoroda, they will not feel discomfort, and aching backs will not distract them from reading.
We need to transform the library into not just a place for "bookworms," but also a space where children can meet and discuss their projects. By creating enclosed areas for group activities and separating zones for quiet independent reading, this space will gradually cultivate a reading culture. Modern educational institution design is not just about visual aesthetics - it's about the future of education.
The digitalization of the education system is already underway. Unfortunately, events like COVID and war have accustomed children to distance learning and gadget use. We must adapt and design with foresight, preparing for the next generation. Children are increasingly turning to video and audio formats for learning. They listen to podcasts, watch videos, so we need to anticipate the development of educational processes: create video rooms and audio booths where they can put on headphones and listen to audio recordings on various topics.
We also need to consider the digital impact on education. When designing a school project for the next 30-50 years, we must understand that progress cannot be stopped, and our space must be ready for future innovations. This involves thoughtful placement of network cables, spaces for plasma TVs, projectors, information panels with announcements, turnstiles, metal detectors, bomb shelters, and safe navigation of students through school corridors.
We must always prioritize the safety and health of children in educational institutions. When designing classrooms, it's essential to consider the direction of sunlight and the proper placement of desks, as an increasing number of children are experiencing vision problems.
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