Espacios para la docenciaFunción habitabilidad y simbolización

Abstract

Architects design learning environments holistically. This thesis explores the state of the art meanings of learning environments. The aim is to provide accurate knowledge for architects and planners, and hence for all stakeholders involves in the reform or new project of an educational facility. The approach is on Elementary Schools. We have analysed a general framework of issues that affect and determine principal architectural features of the school buildings today and also, the values of the space in these buildings that determine attributes and qualities needed to develop the teaching and learning tasks successfully. These environments must be designed and programmed. Experts and professionals (both from the architecture and the educational fields) are claiming for advance thinking and guidelines to find solutions able to face the challenges of our dynamic and in progress society; and, in addition, to link bridges between the principal appreciations of both perspectives (pedagogical and designing). New solutions of innovative spaces highlight the value of the space in the development of the daily activities at those new schools provided with this characteristic dimension, based in several aspects found since our research. These aspects have been outlined in order to their impact and/or presence on learning environments. Currently, these schools represent a breakthrough to support new findings. We have used a rich source of information from outstanding international publications, and we have borne out that today principal factors are emerging up from understandings on multidisciplinary programming, on sustainability, on technological innovations, on equal/diversity, and on the fluidly connection indooroutdoor. Challenges of our society in a cross-cultural perspective leave an imprint in students’ behaviours, transforming their perceptions and the way they learn. In addition, there is a special consideration of education for sustainable development in all these new understandings on learning environments, for sensitising users about it. And an important discussion about new technologies in school spaces is fearing up. A new trend in learning environments is developing welfare based in the pedagogical potential of using outside and other unusual spaces for teaching and communicating. All these movements should be considered by architects and the stewardship. Finally, we have developed a catalogue with an assortment of cutting-edge design of Elementary Schools all over the world. We have applied the analysis of the thesis to all of them, for valuing their singular outcomes within the best innovation both built and thought for learning spaces design. Important contributions arise from these projects, designed with awareness of these factors. They show the similarity of this issue in different developed countries, so the scope of the conclusions may be widely applied.