building as a teaching tool

Building as a Teaching Tool Brief - Short

The building could be an asset to the learning experience in two ways:

1. Provide direct, interactive learning opportunities2. Support teachers by indirectly providing the functional design /

equipment needed

At least four themes will be explored through the new architecture: 1. Discover and engage with the historical context.The building can enable students to learn about the history of the region, the local geology, and the building itself.

2. Reveal how buildings systems are made and function.The building is an example of theory made functional. By revealing the inner workings of the building -- the pressurized piping, the airflow mechanisms, the structural components that protect against earthquakes – students can learn first hand concepts they are being taught in the classroom.

3. Demonstrate and support interaction with the natural environment. The building is a controlled extension of the natural environment, tempering the variability of the natural world while also interacting with it. A well-designed building can highlight those interactions, illustrating the ways the building affects the environment and how proper alignment can lead to synergistic benefits.

4. Inspire and support community interaction. The building can foster unique and unexpected interaction among students and faculty alike through open spaces, thoughtfully placed nooks, and engaging pieces of architecture. These spaces can enable lateral communication, inspire spontaneous conversations, and provide places of rest and recovery.

These are just a few descriptions and examples to illustrate how using the building as a teaching tool is possible. As we move forward in design, we will use the following devices to achieve the above themes: spatial organization, use of technology, narrative and interactive displays, design details and material choices. And it is through your participation in our workshops, and exploring and exchanging ideas through this workbook, that we will most effectively align the buildings functionality to your needs.

Roundhouse One, 1500 Sansome StreetSan Francisco CA 94111415.402.0888mkthink.com

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Building as a Teaching Tool Brief - Long

The building could be an asset to the learning experience in two ways:

3. Provide direct, interactive learning opportunities4. Support teachers by indirectly providing the functional design /

equipment needed

At least four themes will be explored through the new architecture: 1. Discover and engage with the historical context.The building can enable students to learn about the history of the region, the local geology, and the building itself.

Examples:

History of Region

Using intentionally placed windows, gathering places, and supportive tools (e.g. educational signs) to showcase historical buildings, landmarks, etc.

History of Earth

Using a variety of locally quarried stone to showcase the characteristics of different geological time periods

History of Building


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Using structural parts of the old building in the construction of the new building to illustrate the evolution of the school site

2. Reveal how buildings systems are made and function.The building is an example of theory made functional. By revealing the inner workings of the building -- the pressurized piping, the air-flow mechanisms, the structural components that protect against earthquakes – students can learn first hand concepts they are being taught in the classroom.

Examples:

Visualizing hidden processes

Using interactive LCD dashboards that reveal how the building systems are functioning in real-time compared to past performance

Viewing and interacting with real systems

Opening up utility rooms to allow students to view pressure meters, the ebb and flow of material movement, and other mechanical processes

Seeing the raw materials


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Opening up walls and ceilings to expose functional building components such as piping, insulation, etc.

3. Demonstrate and support interaction with the natural environment. The building is a controlled extension of the natural environment, tempering the variability of the natural world while also interacting with it. A well-designed building can highlight those interactions, illustrating the ways the building affects the environment and how proper alignment can lead to synergistic benefits.

Examples:

Understanding weather

Using rooftop weather stations and dynamic monitoring stations to teach students about wind speed, humidity, temperature, etc. and their larger connection to regional climates

Incorporating natural systems into the building

Using landscaped exterior facades to bring nature into the composition of the building


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Finding synergies between the building and the natural environment

Using rainwater collectors to control water runoff and feed it into student / faculty gardens

4. Inspire and support community interaction. The building can foster unique and unexpected interaction among students and faculty alike through open spaces, thoughtfully placed nooks, and engaging pieces of architecture. These spaces can enable lateral communication, inspire spontaneous conversations, and provide places of rest and recovery.

Examples:

Architecture that engages

Using interactive architecture, such as slides, to inspire and engage students around educational themes

Conversation / collaboration spaces

Using creative furniture and open spaces to bring people together in spontaneous and meaningful conversations


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These are just a few descriptions and examples to illustrate how using the building as a teaching tool is possible. As we move forward in design, we will use the following devices to achieve the above themes: spatial organization, use of technology, narrative and interactive displays, design details and material choices. And it is through your participation in our workshops, and exploring and exchanging ideas through this workbook, that we will most effectively align the buildings functionality to your needs.


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building as a teaching tool

Technology

new building

old building

building systems

functional building

school sitethe building

natural environment

interactive architecture

sansome streetsan francisco