b'school designkids to work together, for sure, but we also need to be teaching them how todifferent learning needs; but investing that time to know the end-usersbelow: Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen top tipResene FilmPro work on their own because that is where deep thoughts come from, in part. during the early design stages always helps create better spaces. tinted to Resene Mother Nature andReseneDigital Green RachelbelievesthatdesignersandbuildersofschoolsshouldProviding a culturally-inclusive learning and working environment isResene Alabaster was used for the wallsAlabasterendeavour to learn more about human behaviour when imagining howsomething else I think well see more of going forward. Societally, weand ceiling in the new staffroom design Resene FilmPro Digital Green is aof the Huapai District School Block 2 professional quality set paint in a toughpeople will be using educational spaces. We should really try to putmay still be getting used to flexible and collaborative learning and beingRefurbishment to create a restful, zen-like 100% acrylic flat finish that is perfectourselves in the occupants shoes. Not simply architects and interiorinclusiveofdifferentlyabledpopulations.Butasaproudimmigrantspace for teachers to relax. Resene Unwind in for creating a green screen in designers, but even engineers should be involved in finding ways tocountries, there is still much room to improve to create environmentsResene SpaceCote Low Sheen and ReseneReseneprovide extra allowances that would support teachers and students. Forto celebrate diverse cultures and provide a safe space for practisingEnamacryl waterborne enamel highlightDusted Blueschool maker spaces.example, mechanical services might have additional acoustic control incustoms across New Zealand and Australia, she says. the doors to the staff toilets, breaking up the the withdrawal space to cater to sound-sensitive kids. Extra structuralrest of the Resene Alabaster walls and ceiling. The project won a Resene Total Colour Education members could be incorporated in a spot where it would be great toIn a perfect world Colour Maestro Award in 2021. Design by Pacific WhileMattagreesthatcreatingamorehang a hammock for autistic kids who need to constantly move. SpaceSchool projects often have many stakeholders to please and funding canEnvironments, www.pacificenvironments.co.nz. Build by residential feel within schools can be appropriateheight and width proportions could be better calculated for kids seekingbe notoriously tight, which makes it challenging to design and build in aAccent Construction, www.accentconstruction.co.nz. fornewlearningenvironments,hebelievesmore enclosed zones, or the lighting lux levels in certain areas couldway that ticks every box. But in a dream scenario where there were noImages by Barry Tobin.this needs to be done in such a way that thebe controlled for sight sensitive users. The list goes on, and it really istime or money constraints, we asked Matt, Michael and Rachel whatResene Resenematerials and finishes specified can withstanda massive team effort to create spaces that can effectively adapt tothey would prioritise or do differently. Unwind Mother Naturethe harsh rigours of a school setting.Whether or not theres a trend to design commercial office or educational spaces to be more home-like, the core subjective is to create spaces to cater for all types of personalities and encourage individuals to thrive, adds Rachel Xu of Pacific Environments NZ.This evolution goes hand-in-hand with the increaseinsocietalawarenessthatdifferent learning needs and sensitivities exist. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach that used to be the norm, there is a better understandingthat learners learn in different ways. Learningavaluableplatformforgroups,collaborationabove: Semi-private breakout rooms where that ASD, ADHD, sound, sight and movementenvironmentsneedtobeflexibleenoughtoand stimulation. But these types of spaces arestudents can work independently or in small groups sensitivities,dyslexiaandotherneedsrequirerespondtothisdiversityandfuture-focusedonly where extroverts thrive. For the kids whowhile being enveloped in mood-enhancing hues specialisedenvironmentsandstrategiesforso that they can be adapted as technology andprefer to go off by themselves or just want tois one idea for offering spaces tailored to different learning needs. Thorndon School in Wellington learning.Thankstothefierceadvocationbyother changes take place in society. work alone, they may be seen as outliers or,features walls in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen parents, educators and students themselves, farRachel agrees that the places students learnevenworse,asproblemcases.Thisiswhentinted to Resene Lochmara, Resene Roadster and more headway has been made in the educationalneed to be adaptable environments that meetcarefullydesignednook-and-crannyspacesResene House White, ceiling in Resene Ceiling design sphere than any other project typology. the specific needs of their users, rather thanwithdifferentcoloursandtexturescomein,Paint in Resene White and plywood walls sealed ProvidinggoodUniversalDesignsothatexpecting learners to fit into a specific box. Shewhichempowertheseintrovertsandprovidein Resene Aquaclear satin. Design by McKenzie alleducationalfacilitiescanbeaccessed,recalls when she was a student and the effectshelter for those who might be sensitive to noiseHigham Architects, www.mckenzie-higham.co.nz. understoodandusedtothegreatestextentold ways of thinking had on her education. Weand anxiety from the constant gaze of others. Build by Hawkins Construction, www.hawkins.co.nz. Painting by Metropolitan Painters, and Freear Philip, possible by all people regardless of their age,sat in rows and we never moved around in theIsincerelybelievebothourworkingandwww.freearphilip.co.nz. Image by Paul McCredie.size, ability or disability is a key requirement ofclassroom. All 30-40 kids looked at one teacherlearning environments should encourage casual, successful contemporary learning, says Matt.and tried to absorb whatever the teachers fedchattycaf-styletypesofinteractions.TheyResene ReseneThe most important element to get right whenusallday.Butnowadays,educationalspaceare great for introverts and extroverts alike. ButWhite Lochmaradesigning any learning environment is the focusdesign broadly supports creating an open andstudents need much more privacy, more freedomResene Reseneon learners needs and the acknowledgementflexiblelearningenvironment,whichprovidesand more autonomy. Schools need to be teachingHouse White Roadster64 blackwhitemag.com blackwhitemag.com 65'