Education and Contextualism

"Education and Contextualism" (Edited by Duncan McCorquodale) presents the work by Architects Design Partnership, concentrating on their work on the design of education buildings. One chapter of the book focuses on designing for e-learning and the use of technology in schools and universities.

The chapter on electronic learning features designs for individual computer equipped study booths for the Learning Centre of Canterbury Christ Church University. These a S shaped units with one student accommodated in the U shaped section of on each side, with a curved wall between them. The accompanying floor plan shows six of these modules along with cafe style seating, larger group tables and some book stacks in a learning centre. Later on a drop-in open access computer area is shown at Brunel University.

On its web site the ADP practice features several education projects:

1. Western House Primary
2. Riverhead Infants School
3. Highgate School
4. Building Schools for the Future
5. Ealing Institute of Media
6. Aston Business School Conference Centre
7. The School of Sport and Exercise Science

Unfortunately like many architects, while their buildings may be inspiring, ADP's web site is frustratingly difficult to read. It is unfortunate that they did not apply the clear and analytical approach to the site, which they have to the book.

Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Education and Contextualism focuses on Architecture Design Partnership’s work for schools, universities and colleges. The book begins by placing the founding of the practice against the cultural backdrop of the 1960s. The reader is then taken on a journey through ADP’s development, taking in their major educational projects, which encompass a wide variety of purposes -- lecture halls; dormitories and boarding houses; sports facilities; education spaces for specialist subjects such as Art, Technology, Sport, Medicine; and Information Technology and E-learning. The book follows ADP’s work both for new projects and their extensions and additions to historic and listed buildings. In doing so, ADP’s concern with building materials, budget, regeneration, landscaping, and environmental context is fully explored. Education and Contextualism reflects ADP’s unique approach to architecture and is a worthy celebration of the practice’s 40th anniversary.
Product Details

* Hardcover: 184 pages
* Publisher: Black Dog Publishing (October 2007)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 1904772714
* ISBN-13: 978-1904772712

From the Amazon.com page for "Education and Contextualism"