Architecture school space distribution

The following is a scaffold for the size of spaces which are required in the architecture school.

The architecture school is being designed around the concept of a decentralised cohort with a focus on personal and 1 on 1 learning. Instead of having medium sized studio groups in a classic classroom scenario (15-20 students per class with one tutor), students learn both independently and in very small groups (2-3 students). Because of this, there is no need for classrooms or large lecture theaters. However, as students are expected to learn independently, there is an increased demand for small spaces such as study booths, individual workshops and studio booths, and meeting spaces where students can meet with tutors.

Many of the schools facilities (workshops, booths, computer labs) will be operated on a booking system where students will be able to book out small booths for 1-3 people for feedback with a tutor or to work on models and designs.

Academic staff and tutors will also have their offices and meeting spaces as a usual school would. However, there will be dedicated meeting rooms for course conveners to communicate with the tutors for each respective year group. Since there is a need for more tutors (due to personalised, almost one on one teaching), there will also need to be spaces where tutors can prepare for meetings with students and fellow tutors.

I also plan to integrate the gallery into the open public areas as this is an opportunity to both save space and create engaging public areas.

Adaptability will be integrated into the design through a modular system for booths. As there is an expected growth for the student population, a modular design will be able to prepare for it as the school would be able to remove/add booths and workshops based on the current student population. Medium sized spaces could also use screen doors to make the school more dynamic in its approach to unused spaces (as classrooms and workshops won't be filled 100% of the time).

In summary, the floor space which is traditionally reserved for a large lecture theatre and medium sized classrooms will instead be dedicated to a large amount of smaller study booths and workshops for study and modelling.

SPACE DISTRIBUTION

The following spaces will have circulation included in the given units. (units in square meters)

STUDENT SPACE

Lecture theatre: 40 seats at 2.5 sqm per person | 130 sqm

Studios: Not applicable

Workshops: seats 60 at 5 sqm per person | 390 sqm

Computer labs: seats 60 at 2 sqm per person | 156 sqm

STAFF SPACE

Academic offices: seats 9 at 11 sqm per person | 128.7 sqm

Admin offices: seats 4 at 6 sqm per person | 31 sqm

Research space: seats 9 at 4 sqm per person | 47 sqm

Research studio: seats 9 at 5 sqm per person | 58 sqm

Meeting rooms: seats 30 at 2 sqm per person | 80 sqm

UTILITY

Gallery + public space: 300 sqm

Library: 108 sqm

Toilets: 60 sqm

TOTAL FLOORSPACE: 1488 sqm