A study released in 2012 revealed that well-designed and built classrooms can improve the academic performance of school children by a staggering 25%. The study, carried out in the UK by architecture firm Nightingale Associates and the University of Salford, added some credence to a belief many have held for a long time. 

There will be different dynamics at play, depending on whether we’re talking about kindergarten, middle school, high school, or college. For example, students are drawn to a particular college for a particular set of reasons. It could be a longing to belong to a particular school of thought and way of life, an attraction to the extracurricular activities at the school, such as sports, a need to go to school in a particular location, or an interest in the academic programs offered at the institution. 

All of these are well-understood factors and their effects on enrolment rates are well researched and known by those building and running schools. But how many times do you wonder if the architectural design of a school can have an effect on the learning experience of students there? This isn’t an empty question; studies have shown that the appearance of a school campus had an effect on the decisions of between 60% and 80% of prospective students, depending on which study you read. 

We have always believed that good architecture should be a part of any kind of building. There are certain aspects of the learning process that can benefit immensely from well-designed school buildings. 

Here are four reasons a licensed and experienced architect is need for your educational building project.

1. Regulations

State laws require the involvement of a licensed architect for all education building.  

2. Adaptable Spaces Make Students More Satisfied

One of the hallmarks of good educational building architecture is adaptability in the design of spaces. Long gone are the days when the range of activities students could partake in a school was so narrow that spaces could be fairly strict in design.

Modern education is such that students could use a single space for a large variety of purposes, including as a lounging space. Spaces that are adaptable will make the students feel more satisfied because they can do anything in them.

3. Variety Equals Quality

Students and faculty feel a lot more empowered when they have more choice in the kind of space they congregate it. You can give them this by giving them a lot of spaces without any major defined purposes. 

A large living room with smaller satellite spaces might encourage them to use the living room for socializing and the smaller spaces for more private moments, such as study.

4. Functionality, Simplicity, and Aesthetics are Key

The way spaces are designed and arranged communicates a lot to students about their intended purposes and required level of noise. For starters, you should make sure the spaces are well ordered and easy to find. This makes navigation easier for students and faculty, making them able to arrive in time. 

Additionally, the aesthetics of the rooms and spaces can help to define their purpose and give hints about the level of noise expected in them. A harmonious combination of function and form will make the users of the different facilities feel comfortable and at home.

Bill Whitaker, Registered Architect, can help you with all of the considerations of your new education or school building.