The importance of design and architecture in educational buildings

The construction, architecture, and design of educational institutions such as schools, colleges, and universities play a significant role in the overall learning experience for students. Education buildings, where learners spend considerable time, can hugely impact their health, thinking, and performance. At Technal, we understand that well-designed educational spaces are able to foster a conducive environment for both students and educators, leading to better learning outcomes and a more positive educational experience. 

There are many reasons for this, and numerous studies have shown that a student's learning environment directly impacts their academic performance. Developers and designers tasked with constructing and developing educational institutions must bear fundamental principles of architecture and design in mind when creating educational spaces. Furthermore, concerns for the health and well-being of students mean that the actual fabric and performance of structural elements for schools are becoming increasingly important too. As a result, countries and investors are beginning to focus on climate-friendly school construction with cost-effective, sustainable solutions that offer low greenhouse gas emissions.

At Technal, we recognize this importance and offer a wide range of sustainable solutions to develop educational buildings in the Middle East and around the world that emphasize comfort, safety, and design innovation. Our aluminum curtain walls, windows, doors, and balustrades offer low-carbon, sustainable solutions to meet the requirements of all educational facilities.

In this article, we will explore reasons why design and architecture are essential when developing educational buildings.

Buildings and academic performance

Classroom design can affect academic performance by as much as 25%. Various elements of the academic environment play a role in a student’s experience. From lighting and ventilation to spaciousness and color, studies have shown that elements such as these directly impact performance. It has been found that natural light positively affects test results, enabling students to score, on average, 26% higher than in different conditions.

Furthermore, classroom temperature can significantly affect attention span and memory, with studies indicating that test scores average 93% in controlled temperature settings versus 72% when temperatures are too hot or cold. This means that proper ventilation and temperature control in classrooms have the potential to significantly improve students' academic achievement.

What requirements are necessary for optimal educational spaces?

• Flexibility of spaces. It is crucial that educational premises can accommodate evolving teaching styles and new technologies as they emerge. In the Middle East and around the world, there are educational institutions that have programs and schedules that vary regularly, and many educators also have different and evolving teaching methods. This means that flexibility within the design of an educational building is vital for the longevity and success of teaching programs.
• Thermal comfort. As mentioned, temperature directly impacts a student’s learning capacity, which cannot be disregarded when designing educational spaces. With the extremely high temperatures experienced in the Middle East region, it is crucial to install solutions with insulation glazing, which can help regulate thermal and maintain a stable, comfortable indoor temperature.
• Acoustic insulation. Noise pollution can also significantly impact concentration and focus in the classroom, which makes acoustics another key factor to consider during development and design processes. A significant portion of interaction between educators and students involves speech, meaning acoustics and noise pollution can significantly improve or hinder the learning process.
• Natural light and sun shading. As shown by studies, natural light also impacts the learning experience and academic performance levels. Good natural light can create an environment that fosters calm and comfort as opposed to artificial lighting, which does not achieve this. Natural light solutions and sun shading can also help to reduce electricity consumption, which is beneficial for both environmental and cost reasons.
• Safety and accessibility. All buildings must comply with accessibility requirements and accommodate differently-abled people. From accessibility into the building to the user-friendliness of the features within the space, disabilities must be considered when designing and developing any educational space.

Technal offers the solutions required for quality educational building design

As a pioneering international specialist in aluminum architectural solutions, Technal offers a wide range of products to professionals in the Middle East that are suited to any educational building project. From aluminum curtain walls, windows, and doors to facades, solar shading, and balustrades, our aluminum solutions are purpose-designed to accommodate diverse requirements for the educational sector. Our solutions feature assets that comply perfectly with the requirements of educational design, including thermal isolation, light control, security, acoustics, and fire resistance, while remaining firmly aligned with sustainable targets through low-carbon aluminum materials.

Explore Technal’s wide range of educational building solutions, and contact us today for a no-obligation quote with a quick turnaround time.