Purpose-Built Classroom
Adaptive classroom with modular furniture as an improvement from the conventional classroom.
1. Purpose-Built Classroom is a transformable classroom design, using a modular furniture design to accommodate and adapt to the classroom needs. The concept allows students and teachers to arrange their own classroom , directly participating in the class’ design. Children are very explorative in their learning curve, which means a strict and monotone design could, in a way, hinder their creative process. Transformable classroom allows the learning process to be more fun and less boring, while still being a proper classroom.
2. The design aims to break the common classroom layout by reorganizing the class itself and repurposing the class’ furniture, not only as a medium for learning but also for playing and entertainment. The common rows and column layout of a K-12 classroom is not bad per se, but now younger generation are more exploited to the world, which means their curiosity could be endless. This desire to explore on younger generation open up a new discussion about the current classroom design and system. Modular classroom breaks the common listen-to-teacher system of learning. Instead, a more open and flexible classroom allows students to explore more. Architecturally, modular designs allow for a more efficient and effective design, while also allow for an endless design possibility, as the nature of modular design follows the human needs. Even though the base model is basically the same, the modularity allows for different design for each needs.
3. As stated above, the key method of design are modularity and flexibility, in order to efficiently and effectively accommodate the children’s endless learning curve. Modularity and flexibility can help children in their learning process, by not hindering their creative and explorative minds, even in the smallest scale. In this case, the furniture plays a major role as usually, common classroom furniture like table and chair are overlooked in the design. By letting the children arrange their learning experience, from the way they sit, the way the look to the teacher, the way they interact with their friends etc., this allow children to explore their creativity endlessly. Furthermore, breaking the K-12 rows and columns layout could allow children to choose what they want to learn, instead of completely being fed on by the teacher.
4. Three main programs of the project are Study, Discuss and Play. These programs were achieved by studying the development milestone of children, specifically for 3-5 years old. At age 3, children usually learn about simple commands and movement, such as moving up and down, jumping and climbing. At age 4, the activities become more complex as they started to learn not only their physics, but also their mind. They are now able to learn how to stack objects and are now starting to learn social interaction. At age 5, their developed body allows them for even harder activities. They also started to increase their social understanding, and are now able to do small chores, like setting up tables and chairs. From these studies, the class programs were concluded, which is to train children’s abilities, according to their age. In this case, the programs accommodate the children’s learning need for basic movement, creativity, social interaction and doing task.
5. Since children are the main user of the design, child safety is a must. The overall material for this project is Plastic Composite. This material is applied mostly on the modular furniture. The light characteristic of the material allows children to move and interact these modules. The modules itself are designed with a curved edges. Light object and curved edges avoid accidents that could happen to children when they are using or moving these furnitures.
6. The class itself are made prefabricatedly, which allows future expansion because of it’s easy-to-build character. Furthermore, since most of the furnitures are modular prefabricated plastic modules, this allows an easier design application by reorganizing an existing classroom with the prefabricated modules.
7. Each modules in the design corresponds to the number of children, which means each modules belongs to each student. This module contains sets of chairs and a table which is an essential media for student. If a time comes when classroom have to close again, the students can easily bring their own modules to home to continue their learning process, while still having the modular experience that they have when they were still in class.
