Synopsis
Schools across the United States have increasingly decided that "small is beautiful." Yet school planners confront crucial facilities challenges as they create smaller, more personalized learning communities that boost student achievement. Here, a team of experienced architects and educators charts a practical and elegant path through the maze of decisions encountered in a school building conversion project. Filled with examples from the field, Architecture for Achievement sets out a "pattern language" with which planners can explore the architectural details that will make or break their school's design. This network of basic principles sheds light on a wide range of issues, helping readers work out a coherent vision of what their own school requires, and why. Architecture for Achievement combines striking visual models with concise architectural explanations and practical advice - and sets all of this in the context of thoughtful school change. For teachers, community members, contractors, school board members, designers, and all those who participate in the project, it guides the way to a place that supports all students in learning.
About the Author
THE TEAM OF AUTHORS came together at the invitation of Architects of Achievement, a Seattle consulting firm focused on building bridges between educational design and architecture. Victoria Bergsagel, founded and directs Architects of Achievement. Focused on designing schools where all students achieve, this Harvard-trained educator, has been a teacher, principal, adjunct professor, community relations director, school district administrator and research institute director. Her gift for nurturing people s talents and insights has resulted in inspired and award-winning school programs and designs. Tim Best consults in the public and private sectors on innovative projects involving change, technology, and learning. He is Director of State Partnerships at the Wexford Institute in California, MATRIX Learning, a national research project exploring the benefits of games and mobile technologies for formal learning. Kathleen Cushman has since 1989 written many books and essays on school change and student-centered teaching and learning. A cofounder of the nonprofit What Kids Can Do, Inc., she also helped found the Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School in Massachusetts. Lorne McConachie, a senior principal architect with Bassetti Architects in Seattle, has 25 years experiences in planning educational facilities. His innovative designs have won high acclaim. He won the 1999 James D. MacConnell Award for his Edmonds-Woodway High School design and was a finalist for that award in 2004 for his Todd Beamer High School design. Wendy Sauer, who has a master s degree in curriculum and instruction, spent a decade in the classroom and later served as director of education at Experience Music Project. She has consulted with a variety of educational organizations, including the Library of Congress. David Stephen, an architect, straddles the worlds of architecture and education reform. He has worked with schools around the country on innovative teaching and learning. In addition to working with Architects of Achievement, he is Director of Design for High Tech High Communities, a network of charter schools in California with nationwide affiliates.
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