Wednesday, 16 November 2016

The importance of architecture

Reggio Emilia International Study Group 2016

Our visits to five Reggio Preschools and Infant Toddler Centres during the International Study Group, and the following week we spent in Reggio Emilia, made us realise that not all of them are beautiful. In addition to our visits, we study the municipal statements of money invested on improvements and new buildings, and the data given to us on the course detailing whether or not each preschool or infant toddler centre is in a purpose built building. Approximately half are, and the examples we've seen with our own eyes are open plan and wonderful. Others are housed in old elementary schools and have had little investment for renovation. A few, including one we visited, are somewhere in the middle having had substantial funds allocated to renovate the internal space.

The Loris Malaguzzi preschool and primary school is beautiful but it isn't in a purpose-built building. The interior has however had substantial and expensive restructuring. One of our lectures reveals the thinking behind the architecture. The spaces encourage:

Open relationships: with open doors and transparent walls, allowing the possibility for collaboration and reciprocal relationships.

Creation: All the materials are visible with lots of open shelving and storage around the room so you have inspiration all around you.

Celebration and enhancement: the space allows constructions and creations to remain to allow celebration of the work and further enhancements, including by other learners.

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