School Architecture: Building Pedagogy
People
Course director
Description
Architecture profoundly shapes school life, to the extent that Italian educator Loris Malaguzzi argued that the school environment serves as the "third educator", following parents and teachers. The progress of education and architecture has always been intertwined, with architects exploring innovative pedagogical concepts through the design of educational spaces. On the other hand, school buildings reflected society, national images, and the coeval political-economic situation.
This course focuses on 20th-century school architecture, challenging conventional formal perceptions of educational landscapes by rethinking the role of education within its built environment. In the specific postwar context, school architecture emerged as a social endeavor aimed at shaping society. Through the decades, it remained a significant construction focus despite ongoing social and economic crises, situating between technical advancement and cultural form.
The course is structured around thematic lectures and transversal topics including both formal and informal education, and spanning from the built environment to unconventional learning landscapes. After a historical digression, the course will deal with national programs on school architecture, specific architects, pedagogical models, notions of domesticity, urbanization of education, programs and regulations, materiality, and the role of art, primarily focusing on European cases. The common denominator is considering architecture as an added educator.
Objectives
This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the various agencies involved in educational landscapes. Students will learn to critically and comparatively evaluate the different strategies behind the design of school buildings, taking into account their specific contexts and educational objectives.
Sustainable development goals
- Good health and well-being
- Reduced inequalities
- Sustainable cities and communities
- Peace, justice and strong institutions
Teaching mode
In presence
Learning methods
The course is organized around a series of lectures, enriched by contributions from guest speakers and a study visit. Particular attention will be given to student engagement, with participants invited to take part in a critical discussion at the end of each session.
Examination information
Paper submission during the exam session
Bibliography
- Burke, Catherine. School. Reaktion, 2008.
- Della Torre, Stefano, Bocciarelli, Massimiliano, Daglio, Laura, Neri, Raffaella. Buildings for Education: Multidisciplinary Overview of The Design of School Buildings. Springer Nature, 2020.
- Hertzberger, Hermann. Space and Learning: Lessons in Architecture 3. nai010 publishers, 2008.
- Roth, Alfred. The New Schoolhouse. Das Neue Schulhaus. La Nouvelle Ecole. Verlag für Architektur, 1966.
- van Eyck, Aldo. The Child, the City and the Artist: An Essay on Architecture. The In-between Realm. SUN, 2008.
- Dewey, John. The School and Society. Child and Curriculum. Chicago University Press, 1990.
- Foucault, Michel. Discipline and Punish. Penguin Random House, 2020.
- Illich, Ivan. Deschooling Society. Marion Boyars, 1972.
- Montessori, Maria. Formazione dell'uomo. Garzanti, 1970.
Education
- Master in Storia e teoria dell’arte e dell’architettura (120 ECTS), Lecture ex cathedra, Elective course, Elective, 1st year (3.0 ECTS)
- Master in Storia e teoria dell’arte e dell’architettura (90 + 30 ECTS), Lecture ex cathedra, Corso a scelta (Arte e Architettura), Elective, 1st year (3.0 ECTS)
- Master of Science in Architecture, Lecture ex cathedra, Elective, 1st year
Study trips
- Study trip (date to be confirmed), 04.06.26 - 04.06.26 (Compulsory)
