Project Update #1

Reflection:
So far for my junior project at Quatrocchi and Kwok Architects, I have learned about the process of designing and creating a school campus, architecture for schools both contemporary and several decades old, and I have sat in on an Architect master planning meeting, in addition to some independent research. Although each of these portions of the project has been interesting, I am continuously surprised by just how much architects do when designing a school. Multiple Employees at the firm have assured me that this type of architecture is very different from many because they have to work with school boards, grants, cities, and incorporate many innovative concepts into their plans, with a budget that is almost never enough. I also learned that it seems they can never quite make the campus perfect- either its too expensive, or their is another barrier like property lines. In addition, it seems that the master plan for campus isn't fully implemented until several years and grants later. Some positive things I have learned, are that architects get to spend a lot of time being creative, problem solving, and directly effecting the community.
Here is an example of work that you would not expect of an architect- they have to type of a pamphlet for community meetings regarding master planning for schools. Parents and teachers that are affected by the project come to the meetings to give the architects input on what the needs are for the school. The public must be able to interpret these pamphlets.

In addition, architects are greatly responsible for the availability of innovative learning. Ho a class room is designed contributes to the amount of collaborative and group projects, and healthier learning environments. This is referred to as 21st century learning. For my personal project, I am designing my own updated version of Windsor High School's campus. This process, as shown below, consists of a lot of drawing and brainstorming.



By the end of winter break I am planning on completing several hours to add to my project of research and first hand observations. In addition, I plan on completing another step to the design of my own school campus. This will be an updated version of Windsor High school's campus that implements 21st century architecture and is design more specifically for the needs of our programs.

This is a photo of the first stage if my new design for the Windsor high school campus. This is referred to as a Bubble Diagram, and is the first step in designing a campus.

My Form B:

Project Description and Introduction

My 2015 Junior Project will consist of research on 21st century learning through the design and layout of school campuses, in addition to meeting architects, learning about the field, and designing my own modern high school campus.
First, I have preformed independent research about modern campuses and how different school layouts affect learning. This includes learning basic terminology, how to read blue prints, and how architects stat designing a campus.

Here is an example of school architecture in early stages.

Next I visited a local high school campus and analyzed with my mentor the design and what certain aspects meant, and how they could be improved. We identified ways to date how old the school was along with stylistic features at different time periods when ideas of how people learn has been at different stages.

Then I will sit in on a meeting with architects and project managers to discuss how the architecture of schools in Sonoma County addresses the needs of their programs. An example of this is the flow of classes, where subject specific classes should be placed in relation to each other, special rooms for specific programs, and group learning spaces.

Finally, my project will result in my own design of a high school campus using the knowledge I have gained about 21st century learning architecture. This will also be created using the same process architects use when designing actual campuses.