![]() | 1.5 LU / HSW |
Room: D139-140
Audience: Architects
Call to Action:
Post-session, apply these insights to create more responsive, inclusive, and future-proof educational environments. These actions are designed to take the insights from the session and apply them directly to participants’ work, ensuring that the ideas explored are not just theoretical but become a tangible part of our collective community’s approach to designing educational spaces.
Abstract: Join Fielding International for a stimulating 90-minute session, delving into the vital role of architects, planners, and educational professionals in creating agile, sustainable, and transformative learning environments fit for the 21st century. We will challenge the traditional method of simply asking communities what they want, and instead, demonstrate how to expose them to the vast possibilities of what school can be. It's not just about adhering to standard ethics, but about being bold enough to question and reshape inequitable and outdated educational practices. In order to reimagine the ethical landscape of educational architecture, participants will engage in an Interactive Ethics Gallery Experience, that explores crucial topics including inclusivity, sustainability, well-being, and equity followed by a lively discussion inspired by thought-provoking quotes, and a Socratic seminar that analyzes the complexities of engaging school communities to push the boundaries of traditional educational design. This session is an invitation to be part of a transformative movement, championing the success of education through architectural excellence and ethical foresight. Join us in shaping schools that are not only future-ready but ethically aligned with the evolving needs of learners and communities.
Learning Objectives:
Randy is the founding partner at Fielding International, an interdisciplinary architecture and education firm that designs schools where learners thrive. He is the co-author of the Language of School Design, the recipient of 15 design awards, including A4LE’s MacConnell Award, and the Creative Director for SchoolPatterns.com, a library of Design Patterns for Creative Learning Environments. Randy has authored more than 50 publications.
Nathan, an award-winning teacher with over a decade of teaching experience, notably founded Exploration High School in Minneapolis, guided by the motto “A Public School for Public Good.” At Fielding International as a Senior Learning Designer, he specializes in aligning learning environments with educational visions & programming, along with high-quality project-based learning. His innovative work extends to his recent role on the Advisory Council at What School Could Be, advocating for transformative, learner-centered education.
With dual Masters degrees in Architecture and Educational Leadership & Societal Change, Cierra brings a unique and holistic perspective to her role as a Senior Designer at Fielding International. As a designer committed to fostering community and empowering students, Cierra aspires to create learning environments that support the varying needs of all stakeholders. Her diverse skill sets and empathic approach allow her to translate high-level concepts into dynamic architectural spaces, with pedagogy in mind.
Design of Educational Facilities
Acts as a resource to the design team in providing ongoing guidance and support to ensure that the emerging and ultimate design aligns with the established community vision, education goals, future programming, written design standards, best/next practices and education policy.