Through the practice’s work in the UK and overseas, John McAslan + Partners (JMP) has delivered a diverse range of educational projects, from modular schools in Malawi to the RSA Academy in Tipton. All our work is linked by creating people-focused, inspirational spaces, which emerge naturally from genuine collaboration and consultation.

 

Our specialist team firmly believes that educational design is not static; it is always changing to meet the different requirements of students, staff and the wider community. JMP’s work remains innovative and thoughtful by engaging in the latest debates about change in education and in particular the way that architecture should respond to trends in the transformation of learning. A recent example is the practice’s design for the RSA Academy that is featured in this issue. The Academy is designed around the ‘Opening Minds’ Curriculum that manifests itself in the ‘Architecture of the Classroom’ with much larger spaces, wet areas (to allow simple art and science projects) and sliding walls (to allow the creation of bigger classrooms for larger scale projects or tutorials).

 

The current debate about educational standards and fees makes this issue of JMP’s online magazine particularly timely. Architecture can play a key role in creating transformational learning environments in a time when budgets and funding are under scrutiny. JMP’s work is engaged with developing more effective and efficient ways of using existing spaces, transforming redundant and underused areas in university campuses, colleges and schools into vibrant parts of student life.

                                                                             

Good architecture and design understands the potential of an educational institute’s existing assets, changing not only to reflect pedagogic choices but also the way spaces interlink to provide effective circulation, social and learning functionality.

 

Hannah Lawson, Director, Education + Culture, Inititative, John McAslan + Partners