Education is vital for the evolution of societies. However, there is a continuous process here to ensure we keep learning. Buildings play a key role in this. You need to get the right designs to cater to the needs of students and educators now as well as in the future. Coffey Architects can help. We have a wealth of experience as a top architect in London. In fact, a few of our previous education buildings have won awards.

There is a lot to think about here. Firstly, the buildings must tackle any ongoing challenges, such as inclusion and engagement. They also need to be flexible and able to easily adopt new technology.

What we want to do is look at four crucial things to keep in mind with designing educational buildings.

Daylight

All of these properties should prioritise natural daylight. It is vital for ensuring health and wellbeing. It also has an impact on concentration, engagement, and performance. Students and educators will likely struggle if the buildings are poorly lit or there is excessive artificial light.

There are several things you can look at here, including facade systems, skylights, light wells, and more. Diffusion systems can help to direct the daylight to all internal spaces. You should consider daylighting for new builds as well as retrofitting.

Solar gain

Energy efficiency is crucial for all buildings. However, it is even more vital with education as costs can be very high for heating and cooling to keep students and educators comfortable. It would be better to approach the design in a way that can do this more naturally, with less reliance on HVAC systems.

One thing to look at is the solar gain, especially if you look to maximise daylighting. A good design here can optimise light but tackle the solar heating. You must get the thermal envelope right, including the insulation. A great design can also eliminate the need for curtains and blinds.

Safety

One thing we know for sure as a top architect in London is that every building must be safe. This is the case whether it is a home, a library, an office block, or anything else.

With educational buildings in particular, you need to think again about the lighting. You must also get the designs right for entrances, exits, and transitional spaces between properties. Translucent materials can be fantastic for ensuring line of sight.

Renovation

A lot of schools, colleges and universities have a fantastic history. Many of them have been around for hundreds of years. For example, Oxford University dates back to 1096. Some are even older than that.

While the history of these institutions can be wonderful, the age of some buildings may cause issues. It could mean they are no longer able to provide the best level of education. In this situation, renovation is a good idea if possible. It can include updating the facade and interior structure/layout. The goal should be to make properties better for inhabitants while also improving the aesthetics and carbon footprint.

Do you want to discuss ideas with a top architect in London?

Coffey Architects knows how to be successful with creating educational buildings. We give every client an unbeatable level of support. At the same time, we focus on achieving the best results for the specific spaces.

So, if you want help from a celebrated architect in London, speak to us. You can also learn more about our projects on our website.