Mini Proposal 1: Rethinking Education Facilities ✏️Â
LEGO-like modular construction blocks that can be customized for different user cases
What if we designed a new type of prefabricated construction product that was equally at home in developed countries as in undeveloped rural regions? Maybe it has a general design concept, but it could be 3D printed or manufactured locally (within 10 miles of the construction site) to reduce transportation costs and emissions.
We’re considering a new educational facility design that could integrate features like solar energy and new HVAC/climate control solutions (for both human comfort and health reasons, e.g., air filtration and conditioning). We would like to concentrate on a variety of communities, from urban (inspired by the serious deferred maintenance problems in the Philadelphia school system) to rural education communities (like rural India and remote villages). Everything from raw materials (e.g., sandstone bricks or pre-fab steel frames that are then insulated based on space design) to the water and electrical systems are up for grabs and waiting to be innovated. We need to come up with some parameters to focus our thinking, like the age group we’ll be educating (a university building vs. a preschool), but generally, we seem excited about both reimagining educational spaces and/or the physical features of those spaces.
- Your Space
- Educational facility: could be a college campus or preparatory school
- Your Community
- urban/rural education
- Your General Objective or Purpose
- sustainable, effective public education
Mini Proposal 2: Moving Wall System
A new institutional design layout that could be applied to schools or even hospitals: everything becomes a multi-purpose space thanks to an innovative track-based moving wall system that is both lightweight (easy to move) and has incredible insulation properties (both sound and thermodynamics). Take the idea of “flex” space to the next level with materials and technology that can move in real time around each use case. Think about the hotel's or convention center’s 100,000-square-foot ballroom or convention hall and the giant track walls that are used to divide the space for different uses. What will the NEXT generation of this concept look like, and how will humans interact with it?
- Your Space:
- Education or Medical Facility
- Your Community:
- Major metropolitan areas
- Your General objective or purpose:
- We are trying to maximize the flexibility of space to benefit a larger group of users (e.g., a space that could be transformed from 20 classrooms or 2 gymnasiums in <30 minutes).
Mini Proposal 3: Rooftop or vertical gardening, semi-Integration of Culinary classes, and volunteer hours
Many people in suburban and urban areas are not connected to their local food system, either due to time constraints or living in a “food desert.”
Creating student-maintained gardens in high schools and integrating them into new or existing culinary courses would be a cheap and convenient way to teach students responsibility for their environment. Oftentimes, this kind of thing is done only for elementary schoolers, but it’s worth exploring doing a similar program at a later age. The food produced from these gardens could also be used in the cafeteria; however, the primary purpose would still be education and awareness.
- Your Space:
- An educational facility, high school, or prep school
- Your Community:
- Urban/metro areas
- Your General Objective or Purpose:
- Teaching responsibility for the environment
Mini Proposal 4: Green Buildings For Educational Campuses with Premium Facilities
The mini-proposal introduces an innovative project: establishing a green educational institute with enhanced facilities, striving to create a sustainable and enriching learning environment. This endeavor aims to revolutionize the education sector by combining eco-conscious practices with top-notch amenities to support academic excellence and personal growth.
Project Overview: The project entails the development of a cutting-edge educational institute that embodies green principles and sustainable infrastructure. The institute will be designed and constructed following environmentally friendly standards, promoting energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and the use of eco-friendly materials.
Green Features: The proposed educational institute will incorporate various sustainable features, including:
- Energy-efficient design: Utilizing passive cooling and lighting systems, solar power integration, and energy-conscious building layouts
- Water management: Implementing water-saving fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling systems to reduce consumption and promote responsible water use
- Sustainable materials: Prioritizing eco-friendly and locally sourced building materials with low environmental impact
- Green spaces: Creating outdoor learning areas, gardens, and green rooftops to enhance the learning experience and foster an appreciation for nature
Enhanced Facilities: The green educational institute will offer a range of enhanced facilities to support students' holistic development and well-being:
- State-of-the-art classrooms are equipped with modern technology and interactive learning tools to facilitate engaging and immersive learning experiences.
- Science and innovation labs: Providing students with hands-on opportunities for scientific exploration and experimentation
- Library and research center: Offering a vast collection of educational resources and promoting a culture of continuous learning
- Sports and recreational facilities: Encouraging physical activity and sportsmanship through well-equipped sports fields, courts, and gymnasiums
- Student support services: Providing counseling, career guidance, and mentorship programs to support student’s academic and personal growth
Educational Excellence and Sustainable Awareness: The green educational institute will not only prioritize academic excellence but also actively promote sustainable practices among students and staff. Environmental education programs, workshops, and sustainability clubs will be established to raise awareness and encourage responsible living.
Conclusion: By establishing a green educational institute with enhanced facilities, we aim to revolutionize the education landscape by providing students with an inspiring and sustainable learning environment.
_______________________________________________________________________________
d.Project 2 Brainstorming Exercise:
Let's try the virtual “30 circles” brainstorming exercise per Colin’s suggestion and each try to enter as many ideas as we can around our minit-proposals in 3-minute individual brainstorming sessions. Google Sheet for Exercise: