Sustainable Schools - Rachel Towill of Towill Design Group

Tonight i went along to the QUT/AGDF/AGIC/SSEE Guest Lecture Series where Rachel Towill presented her company's approach to sustainable learning environments.

http://www.towilldesigngroup.com/projects.html

While the lecture focused on 'green' ideas for designing the space there were a few key things that can help myself with research, tech and design studios.

Te key points i gained are:

Student involvement – let the students brand the building

Students are not constricted by boundaries

Involvement in design leads to respect for 'own' building and pride for the building

Site specifics – function details design

Colour –provides a comfortable environment

– control and effect mood

-create direction and rhythm in classes – reduce anxiety.

-less stressful then white walls

Natural Lighting – zone lighting system so teachers dont turn ALL lights on

Form – why is it short? Why is it tall?

Disassembly – carpet tiles individual, so replacing one part of carpet doesnt pull all the tiles up? - i question if that causes more wear and tear?

Architects – living building challenge. All mandatory imperitives no picking and chosing such as Greenstar.

Frustrations with the lecture were there were a lot of statements thrown around without actual research or hard facts to back it up - such as the "use of colour making a more comfortable environment"

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Okay in Question Time Rachel backed up her statements: apparently when students write on white paper looking up to a colour wall helps adjust? There is research out there but Rachel did not specify any particular research. Eye relaxing with Green.

Results of students' output? Any Results in terms of Learning: Sutton Primary School.

Rachel aims to get student and teacher focus group and then access the results of students