Educational standards have changed over the past 20 years, yet many schools have continued to be designed in a utilitarian fashion representing the predecessor teaching methods. While standardization of school layouts may prove to be a more cost efficient method for school boards, we take a look at schools that have redefined what it means to be a school in the 21st century. 

While the idea of the classroom is not quite erased from schools, some are trying to change the way a classroom is viewed by redesigning it to be an innovation lab, makerspace, or learning commons area. Instead of being traditional, these spaces are meant to reflect the idea that students are makers and learners, teachers are facilitators and activators, and classrooms are learning studios and learning commons. In the video above, Takaharu Tezuka demonstrates how children benefit from an open learning environment where they are allowed to explore and learn about their world through discovery and play. 

Vittra Telefonplan / Rosan Bosch - Stockholm, Sweden

Taking a similar approach to the open learning environment, the Vittra Telefonplan school in Stockholm explores how stimulating learning environments are beneficial for students. Instead of walls to define the classroom, the school uses dividers which help to create flexible laboratories where children can engage with different types of learning based on a digitized teaching approach. In the video above Frida Monsen explains how the school model should be replicated since it is addressing the new needs of students. 

Orestad College - Copenhagen, Denmark

One of the reason why open classrooms have become popular is because they encourage a collaborative learning environment. In the video above you can see how students at Orestad College are preferring the open study pods compared to the traditional study tables shown behind them.  

Farming Kindergarten / Vo Trong Nghia Architects - Dong Nai, Vietnam

While having an open space is undoubtedly a desired feature for future schools, the farming kindergarten class in Dong Nai, Vietnam exemplifies all of the potential that comes from removing the disciplinary style of teaching from a school. As the video shows above, students at this school get an opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of farming in a real life simulation. 

Interested in seeing additional projects involving schools? Check out the Design Gallery on CADdetails.com to see project details, 3D renderings and more!

Source: ArchDaily, P21, Upworthy  cover image: Forgemedia