“Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systemically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life.” Marcus Aurelius

Observation is an essential skill. It is not simply looking at or watching but an actively seeing, noticing, recording, processing, and responding. We need it to form opinions and judgments. We at PEAI encourage students to do this when they have to read novels, answer comprehension questions, write responses, and research for debate. For this month’s project, students were asked to observe the role of architecture in their school experience.

The objective was to perceive and analyze how architecture influences, or does not influence their educational experience and visualizing how it could be optimized.

It started with asking students to draw pictures of their school and classroom. Comparisons showed that while the school design varied slightly, students had mostly similar square or rectangular classrooms with many square desks. Some had lockers in the hallways outside of their classrooms while others had storage space on the inside.

Then students were asked if they liked school.

For the most part, students said that they enjoyed school – for socializing with friends and for good teachers.

However, when students were asked if their school buildings and grounds were useful in their education experience, the majority answered in the negative. Many said their schools had too many stairs, inefficient space, stiff chairs, and dirty bathrooms.

Equipped with these observations, students were tasked with re-designing or imagining a new school that would not only fix those problems but be a benefit to their education experience with before and after visuals.

Below are a few of the "after" images from the presentations.

Many students had realistic and practical ideas including changing the interior and adding technology.

A sketch of a larger library with more group spaces and book vending machines.

Each of the spheres are exercise ball chairs, color coordinated to the nature theme of the school.

Some students really went for the challenge and created a completely new school campus.

An emphasis on natural and peaceful environment.

Inspired by the cooperation of bees in hives, with matching mascots and building.

Students favored hexagonal and circular classrooms.

Overall, the presentations showed that students were able to observe their environment and ENHANCE it with creative and innovative ideas. Students were able to understand how school architecture was something that can be enjoyed and not something to be endured.

Observations in Architecture