Educational institutions were at one stage important to all of us, quite often leaving an imprint on our minds. These buildings in which we were educated are thus very important to us - from our experience as a child entering into the wider social world to our memories as an adult. Memories that are often a mix of the wonderfully free and creative play spaces, to the terrifying and authoritarian confinements. The adult architect, designing school buildings within an ever-changing approach to education, must handle with sensitivity the balance between these spaces - creative spaces for growth and play and functional spaces for disciplined learning and orderly behaviour. This book will present a series of contemporary case studies of primary and elementary
through to high schools from throughout the world, including projects which are essentially major restructurings of existing buildings. The differences in respect to the different educational philosophies and educational needs found across the continents will be highlighted as reflected in the various designs from famous and not-so famous architects. The introductory essay will cover a brief history of school design up to the present day, led by the changes in educational philosophies and the subsequent solutions presented by architects. It will discuss the differences in context between cultures and climates, rural areas and city schools, and seek to highlight the important design considerations necessary for school buildings