120 Architects work with 1,500 Students on IAF Education Programme ‘A Space for Learning’
The Irish Architecture Foundation has kicked off its new education programme with A Space for Learning, a design competition to challenge current thinking on school design, where architects collaborate with the end-users of educational spaces - the students.
A Space for Learning features more than 1,500 students in 90 schools, currently working with 120 architects around the country to design a creative response to the concept ‘a space for learning’. Students are working with architects to create and to submit their design ideas to an IAF panel for selection in March 2010. Winning teams will receive funding to develop their design for a national exhibition tour, which will begin in Autumn 2010.
Participating professionals include established award-winning architects such as O’Donnell Tuomey and A2 architects, and talented architectural graduates such as Galway Harbour Ideas competition winners Laura O’Brien and Faela Guiden.
“It’s really inspiring to see so many talented architects and students working together on new visions for
their own learning spaces”, said IAF Education Curator, Rachel McAree. “The competition also works as
an exchange - the architects find out what young people need from the spaces they use everyday and the
students learn about design through participation - a great way to learn anything.”
IAF Director Nathalie Weadick added “This is a very important project for the IAF, whose role is to raise
awareness about the value of architecture, and is a priority within our education programme. We’re
delighted by the response from architects, both established and emerging.”
Peter Timmins, teacher at Sutton Park School, Dublin enthused “In the 20 years I’ve been teaching I
have been looking for a project like this to do with my TY students. It ticks all the boxes! The interest and
enthusiasm it has generated is beyond words. Their blog gives some indication of the commitment to the
project.”
Participants are encouraged to exchange ideas, post images and report their experiences at
www.aspaceforlearning.blogspot.com.
A Space for Learning is an initiative of the Irish Architecture Foundation. It is funded through the
Environment Fund of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
