“School Buildings – The State of Affairs” presents the ever-changing direction of public education and the architectural challenges that come with it. The exhibition runs from January 28 to March 27, 2009.

Today’s educators require flexible spaces that can satisfy multiple functions and future demands, enhancing modern teaching as well as a student’s personal development. While architecture by itself cannot provide a good education, the environment it creates has an impact on well-being and the ability to learn.
Showcasing thirty-one examples of recently built or designed schools from Switzerland along with examples from Austria, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia, this exhibition hopes to inspire all of us about the possibilities design can have on learning.

The exhibition is based on the original show presented in Zurich 2004 and organized by ETH Zurich/ Center for Cultural Studies in Architecture (CSSA), Zurich Building Authority, Zurich School and Sports Authority, Zurich University of Teacher Education.

Details here
Registration here
Location here

ADDITIONAL EVENT ON JANUARY 29, 2009

The American Institute of Architects (AIA San Francisco) hosts an additional event related to the “School Buildings – The State of Affairs”. Be quick to sign up, as this day-long symposium is almost running to capacity!

Schools of the 21st Century: Architecture, Politics + Policies Symposium

Morning Session: 10:00 am-12:00 pm. Theme: Designing Schools for the 21st Century World. Addressing: Sustainability, Healthy School Design, New Trends in Classroom Design, Urban Schoolyards Movement

Afternoon Session: 2:00-4:00 pm. Theme: Implementing School Policies in the 21st Century Classroom. Addressing: School Politics and Policies, Lessons Learned through Educational Research, New Directions in Education

Details on participant panelists and moderators, as well as additional information here.

Registration here.

Organized by AIA San Francisco, the Center for Architecture + Design, and the Consulate General of Switzerland in San Francisco.

Photo: Myleen Hollero