Innovative Classroom Design - Open Architecture Challenge 2009

Posted by Andree Iffrig Jul 31, 2009

Finalists for Architecture for Humanity’s latest Open Architecture Challenge have been selected. Eight teams were recognized for their designs of the classroom of the future.

The 2009 Open Architecture Challenge was underwritten by a consortium of corporate, academic and non-profit partners from around the world. The competition’s mandate was simple: designers were to collaborate with real students in real schools to develop real solutions, in an effort to improve school learning environments.

More than 1000 teams from 65 countries registered for the competition. After four rounds of reviews, a list of eight finalists was chosen. Each submission was rated on feasibility, sustainability and innovation in learning and overall design quality.

The jury consisted of more than 50 leaders in education, sustainability and architecture, and included students and teachers.

Architecture for Humanity (AFH) established the challenge in response to a dearth of new ideas and action on improving learning environments and literacy rates. The World Bank estimates that ten million new classrooms are required if every school c hild in the world is to enjoy a primary education.

The competition served as a catalyst for designing safe, sustainable and innovate educational facilities. An immediate result of the challenge is an online portfolio of design solutions licensed under Creative Commons and viewable at www.openarchitecturenetwork.org.

The principal corporate partner on the challenge was Orient Global, a private investment group based in Singapore.

This latest foray into social development cements AFH’s reputation for innovation in shelter and community design. AFH has provided shelter for more than 700,000 people in 31 countries.