African Design Magazine ADM #39 April 2018 | Page 7

SCHOOL DESIGN
the project investor.
However, in order to
realise a design that
would provide the
desirable learning
environment, it was
necessary to garner
as much information
on preferred
teaching and learning
methodologies.
“In light of this
dependence on end
user feedback, we
conducted a number
of workshops with
the teachers and
principals, since
there are different
requirements for pre-school,
foundation phase, senior
primary and high school. All
of this information is then
incorporated into a cohesive
whole,” says Mabusela.
The result of all these
interactions is a shared
workspace where students
and educators interact, work
and function. Soft seating
areas for Drop Everything And
Read (DEAR) moments, which
can also (jointly) be converted
to a workshop environment
(that also includes brain storm
clusters with white boards as
well as high back booths for
semi-private meetings), the
bar areas and dining areas
catering for up to 75 people.
Smart technology is a standard
feature in classrooms
and learning is based on
collaboration, where students
and educators all come
together and work on projects.
“What makes this environment
so exciting is that we have
moved away from a teacher
merely enforcing learning. The
system encourages students
to take responsibility for their
own learning.” To facilitate this,
consideration of how furniture
fits into the environment was
necessary. “We have placed
some customised furniture but
have also adopted standard
AFRICAN DESIGN MAGAZINE © | APRIL 2018
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