Taking a Look Inside

Aug. 1, 2003
Here are the criteria used by the jurors to select the best school designs in the 2003 Educational Interiors Showcase.

The four jurors for the 2003 Educational Interiors Showcase gathered together for two days in May to view and evaluate 90 examples of school interior design. This year, the jurors took into consideration a new feature as they reviewed the projects: environmental quality. As more methods become available to make facilities healthy for the environment, many schools are beginning to focus on environmentally friendly designs. The jurors acknowledged the following characteristics:

  • Adaptability/Flexibility: Designs that easily adapt to change, responding to present and future needs.
  • Aesthetics: Appropriate use of proportion, scale, color and lighting in harmony and in context with surroundings.
  • Environmental quality: Energy efficiency, indoor air quality (IAQ), use of natural lighting/ventilation, use of environmentally sensitive building and finish materials.
  • Functionality: Alignment of design with intended use for educational philosophy, instruction and support.
  • Innovation/Creativity: Using imagination and ingenuity to create exciting and appropriate solutions.
  • Maintainability: Design of facilities and selection of appropriate materials and equipment to minimize maintenance and maximize useful life.
  • Security/Safety: A well-designed environment that is a safe place for students, staff and public, and allows effective monitoring and control of public spaces.
  • Technology: Successful integration of contemporary technology with capacity for the future.

Sponsored Recommendations

How to design flexible learning spaces that teachers love and use

Unlock the potential of flexible learning spaces with expert guidance from school districts and educational furniture providers. Discover how to seamlessly integrate adaptive ...

Blurring the Lines in Education Design: K–12 to Higher Ed to Corporate America

Discover the seamless integration of educational and corporate design principles, shaping tomorrow's leaders from kindergarten to boardroom. Explore innovative classroom layouts...

Room to Learn: Furniture Solutions for Education

Preparing students for the future. Utilizing our experience in the education market, we offer a dynamic selection of products that pair technology with furniture to help stimulate...

Transforming Education: A Case Study in Progressive Classroom Design

Discover how Workspace Interiors and the Baldwin School District reshaped learning environments in Long Island, New York, creating pedagogically responsive spaces that foster ...