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Learning Space Design

May 27, 2012 · by emergentformau

Project: Learning Space Design workshop series

Year: 2012

Client: Architects, Educators and Facilities Planners

By: Emergent Form

The increasing importance of re-thinking the way we design spaces for learning becomes more obvious with each wave of new technology, the increasing pervasiveness of internet access and the need to accommodate the shifts in teaching styles and learning styles. The best way to take advantage of what is known and discovered in Western Australia and indeed the world, is to take advantage of the pilots and experiments and then applying the most appropriate to each unique situation.

The workshop held in November 2011 with Prof Stephen Heppell (#heppelltime) showed a demand for more information on this topic and that there was now an appetite to consider new approaches since most schools had completed rounds of maintenance and update building as a result of the Federal money injected post the GFC. Now was time to consider the next round of building in the context of these shifts. It was with this in mind that Emergent Form, together with Xcite Logic and EIW Architects came together with Prof Stephen Heppell to run a one day workshop at the University Club in Crawley.

Exploring the new cannot be done by schools and education institutions alone and so this workshop series involved architects, facilities planners, builders, furniture makers and educationalists. In fact, the tables for the main workshop were comprised of most of these groups – importantly with Students too. The aim here was to explore the best examples from around the world with Prof Heppell and then look at six WA examples as case studies to be discussed with a panel of experts. Added to this, the students were able to try combinations of furniture and record their thoughts on iPads to bring to the tables for discussion.

The keynote by Prof Heppell is below as is the case study session.

Keynote – Prof Stephen Heppell

WA Case Studies – Paul Houghton, Stephen Heppell, Alec O’Connell, Lara Mackintosh, various others…

#Heppelltime

December 12, 2011 · by emergentformau

This project was about starting a series of conversations to open up the subject of learning in a digital world. There are many dimensions to this and after some discussion with both the various sponsors and participants digital pedagogy (teaching in a digital world) and re-thinking learning spaces emerged as the major themes. The program for the 3 days was broadly about two different one day workshops that were sponsored by Amplified on day 1 and Southern River College with XCite Logic on day 2.

The keynote for the Amplified event was ‘The Opportunity of 21c Learning’ – an exploration of the issues and challenges facing both teachers and learners to a crowd of around 220 people connected with Education in some way. Key messages of the ‘craft’ of teaching, the motivation of learners, flaws of factory learning and the exciting opportunities of a learning future that draw from the best examples from around the world.

Prof Stephen Heppell, Amplified keynote.

The afternoon session began after a playful lunch with the removal of shoes and an exploration of many projects from around the world to draw on to generate local ‘recipes’ and specific actions.

The next day at Southern River was primarily for the teachers. A broader professional development day was developed by XCite Logic and this was punctuated by three sessions by Stephen which again started many conversations around what to do next, where to make changes and how to tackle some of the issues of the third millenium.

The conversations have started. Some people inevitably will revert back to business as usual but many were inspired and committed to a different approach, big or small, that would make a difference in their own world. These conversations will continue through until May next year when Stephen returns and a number of projects will be initiated, inspired by these two days of talks. Me, I had a blast – talking, thinking, getting the fire back. Really looking forward to next year, thank you Stephen.

Creative Communities

October 10, 2011 · by emergentformau

Recent thinking around innovation systems, creativity and the creative class has influenced economic policy in many countries over the last 5 years. In 2005, EF’s Paul Houghton chaired a review of the current practice and thinking with a view to the development of a strategy that would integrate this thinking into productivity and Innovation strategy for the Department of Training. This cross agency, multi-disciplinary project was complex, diverse and at times a shifting target.

The body of thinking, skilfully researched and analysed with Larry Quick and Associates, influenced a wide range of initiatives in Perth such as Form’s Creative Capital and the establishment of the Committee for Perth. Other Departments involved in the project also picked up on some of the recommendations.

The resultant report was hailed internationally as one of the most complete in the field and the team that produced it went on to be involved in many aspects covered by the report. The Department of Training failed to implement even a small portion of the findings and research because the topic was too far beyond their perceived brief or capability. In addition to the report and findings, a key lesson was to always involve an assessment of capability in the process.

Ultimately it was a catalyst for new thinking around innovation platforms, design thinking and capability development. The expected outcomes and even the funded outcomes are not always the ones that have lasting impact. The coming advent of the NBN rollout offers a new context into which this work can be re-applied.

Project: Creative Communities

Year: 2005-2006

Client: Department of Training

Focus: Innovation

by: KT Studio