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It has been fantastic and performed so well . It ’ s cool in summer , warm in winter . There ’ s so much light that flows in . It ’ s a beautiful place to study ; a beautiful place to learn in .
Something I ’ ve always believed in is that if you create beautiful spaces for young people to learn in , it will inspire them . What we tend to do and the factory metaphors that continue to dominate sees buildings as transactional in nature , but learning should be transformational . You have to demonstrate that you value them and I think our Commons building demonstrates that .”
Simon Gipson says the experience of the new building named after him was embarrassing and humbling . “ The Chair of the Board rang me and said : ‘ Simon you can ’ t say ‘ no ’ to this ’. I still struggle walking past that great big sign because it ’ s like it ’ s someone else .”
Too often exemplars encourage copycat work performed badly , with results neither true to the original , or any good as replicas . Almost eight years in the planning and another three or so in the hard faceting , The Simon Gipson Commons is the real deal , transporting occupants in timetravel rather than vacuum . Instead of the predigested box , students and staff experience learning as moveable feast .
Previous page : A cantilevered top floor section enhances the faceted qualities of lightweight construction . As a building it invites students and staff to see different possibilities in learning – and building design .
Above : Three varied yet cohesive window / wall treatments reflect a tightly scripted treatment by Architects .