DiscoverDesign.org is produced by the

CURIE IMPROVEMENTS (ARTURO MEDINA)

By 123ABC | XL Design an Addition for your School

Overview Instructions

Show Hide

Ralph Ellison Campus, Chicago

Many schools were designed for the past and don’t reflect the 21st century learning environment. Some buildings need better ventilation or lighting, while others are simply not large enough to accommodate students comfortably. For this project, you are encouraged to envision an improvement for your school, something that would benefit everyone who uses it. The most successful designs will be ones that identify a specific need and present a strong design solution. The challenge is to add something that changes the footprint of your school building, while addressing a specifically identified need. Projects should include research and development, real world images and information showing why the need exists, in addition to final project design and information.

Curie can improve in traffic caused by people going to classes by adding a glasss tunnel seen in hospitals. The glass tunnel will be going from the A buliding to the B builiding. Another improvement can be a parking lot for the curie students that drive. Curie can charge a fee to students who decide to park at a newly constructed parking lot only for curie students. The money can help curie work on other minor or major improvements curie needs.

Curious about the instructions for this step of this design problem? >>

Show Hide

Reeds Spring High School Addition, Reeds Spring, MO

Think About

  • What is the size of your school building? Using Google Earth and other online resources, generate a site plan for your school location.
  • What are your initial thoughts about the building? For example, is your school lacking room for art classes? Physical education? Band practice space? Common areas? Cafeteria space?
  • Talk to someone who has been at your school for a while, like a teacher or administrator. They will most likely have great insight as to what areas could stand to be improved.
  • Has anything like this ever been done in the past? If so, what were the results?
  • For more research, we recommend looking at “The Third Teacher: 79 Ways You Can Design to Transform Teaching & Learning,” by OWP/P Architects + VS Furniture + Bruce Mau. The book is easy to digest with lots of great images and design ideas, meant to inspire readers like you. The website for the book is also a great resource.
  • Search online for newly built schools and others that have been upgraded through similar processes. Do you notice anything in common among newly built schools?

123ABC's work for the Collect Information step:

Summary
I looked at a curie floor plan and took images of the site where I thought my addition would be best placed.
I will build a bridge or tunnel that connects the A & B building.
0 comments
0 comments
The tunnel or bridge is going to reduce the traffic in the hallway.
0 comments
A side view of where the tunnel or bridge is going to be located.
0 comments
0 comments

Curious about the instructions for this step of this design problem? >>

Show Hide

Karns High School Addition Plan, Knoxville, TN

Identify the problem you want to solve based on the information you have collected.

Explore at least three possible solutions, each of which will no doubt help you as you search for the best addition to your school.

  • What could your ideas look like?
  • How would it change the landscape of your school?
  • Who will benefit most from your design solution?

Try to answer these questions visually through sketching, and in words by taking notes.

123ABC's work for the Brainstorm Ideas step:

Summary
Collecting information on the internet and taking pictures of the site was a must towards brainstorming about my ideas.
The current parking lot on Archer Ave. will be replaced with a parking garage to allow students...
0 comments
A front view of the building that connects the A to B building.
0 comments
A front view of curie's new parking garage.
0 comments
A side view of curie's new parking garage.
0 comments
The area labeled building is going to connect the A and B building to reduce traffic in the...
0 comments

Curious about the instructions for this step of this design problem? >>

Show Hide

Fridley High School Addition Plan, Fridley, MN

From the previous step, where you developed multiple solutions to the design problem, you should select one of your designs.

  • What is your favorite design? Why?
  • What aspects of your school would it improve?
  • Who would benefit most from your new design?
  • What materials would you be using, and why?

Ideally you will want to create plans of some kind to communicate your final vision, so start to sketch site plans, elevations, and even a floor plan if necessary.

123ABC's work for the Develop Solutions step:

Summary
Revit is what I used to create a model of what my school addition of a Curie parking garage and a bridge connecting the A and B building.
Curie floor plan.
0 comments
Project initiation.
0 comments
Curie's form being created.
0 comments
Addition of a parking garage has been added.
0 comments
Top view of the parking garage.
0 comments
Inside view of the parking garage design.
0 comments

Curious about the instructions for this step of this design problem? >>

Show Hide

Alexander Graham Bell School Addition, Chicago

Present your final design to your class, to get feedback before completing your project. If you talked to other people while working on and researching for this project, show them your design and get their feedback. If they talked to you before, they will want to see what you’ve created! Take notes during these conversations, and try to understand their suggestions before deciding if you wish to make any changes to your final design.

Carefully take stock of feedback from others and do your best to find the information that will help you finalize your project. Someone might tell you something seemingly small, but that bit of information might be the difference between a good project and a great one.

123ABC's work for the Final Design step:

The student did not provide any content for this step.

Earn Skill Badges

Click here to learn more!

Twitter Feed