A Space for Learning

Events in Letterkenny

2012-02-15T14:38:00.000Z

The exhibition is accompanied by an education programme, including a panel discussion and teacher’s events.
Panel Discussion
22 February 7.30pm
No booking required, all welcome
Discussion on themes of design and education raised by the exhibition A Space for Learning. Event includes short exhibition tour and building tour. Panellists: Robert Bourke, Robert Bourke Architects; Rachel McAree, Education Curator, Irish Architecture Foundation; Antoin MacGabhann, MacGabhann Architects; Marianne O’Kane Boal, Architecture critic and writer.

Teacher’s Evenings
Post –Primary Teacher’s Event, February 21st, 7.00pm
Primary Teachers’ Event, March 1st, 7.00pm
Free workshops and talks for teachers highlighting the creative and cross-curricular potential of architecture in the classroom. In partnership with Donegal Education Centre. For information and booking contact dglec@eircom.net

next stop Donegal!

2012-01-27T16:24:00.005Z

We're very excited to be going to Donegal for the next stop on our national tour of A Space for Learning.
February 14 -March 16
Planning some great events too, so watch this space and check out website of our next venue:
Letterkenny's Regional Cultural Centre

pictures from Belfast exhibition

2012-01-27T16:16:00.002Z

pictures from Belfast exhibition

2012-01-27T16:12:00.002Z

young visitors enjoying exhibition

Pictures from Belfast exhibition

2012-01-27T16:07:00.003Z

Visitors enjoying the exhibits back in September, at Ormeau Baths Gallery

Visitor comment Cork

2012-01-27T16:05:00.000Z

I have visited the exhibition three times and have been amazed by all of the projects. What a wonderful initiative uniting the best of architectural acumen with the raw unfettered imagination of teenagers. particularly I loved the design from the school in Fermoy. They incorporated beautifully natural and harmonious learning spaces with cutting edge energy production and created something truly new and refreshing. Triskel Christchurch - keep up the great work. What a great space you have yourselves. I love that place, by anonymous on A Space for Learning Cork

Cork Primary school workshops

2011-11-04T11:55:00.004Z

Pupils from Sundays Well primary school displaying their "space for learning"

A Space for Learning in Cork

2011-11-04T11:33:00.004Z

Exhibition launch at Triskel Arts Centre's Christchurch venue in Cork City, on October 11th

Exhibition in Carlow

2011-05-27T11:45:00.014+01:00

Its going up! Here are some photos of the exhibition being installed at Visual in Carlow taken by Mercy Fleming, an excelllent young photographer who's with the IAF on work experience this week.
You can see Alan (with beard) and Diarmuid (in red) from Nail2Nail doing all the hard work... Rachel was there too, "supervising" !!
Show opens on June 10th and its looking great.

A Space for Learning - Carlow

2011-05-25T15:02:00.002+01:00

A Space for Learning

We’re back on the road with the fantastic exhibition of A Space for Learning.
Next stop is VISUAL arts centre in Carlow, where it will be open from June 10th
in the VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art Old Dublin Road, Carlow.

June 10th – August 21st

Gallery Opening Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday 11.00am – 5.30pm
Sunday 2.00pm – 5.00pm

Free admission, all welcome

And here are the rest of the tour dates:
June 10 – August 21: VISUAL, Carlow, in association with Éigse festival
September 1 – October 1: Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast
October 11 –November 1st: Triskel Arts Centre, Cork
November –January: Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny

Launch photos 4th November

2010-11-25T14:38:00.012Z

Faela Guiden showing Minister Ciarán Cuffe their exhibit. You can just see Laura O'Brien and Helen Kelly too.

Architects James Corbett and Maria O'Donoghue enjoying the book!

Students from St. Patrick's College, Cavan examining their exhibit.

Its all in the details -Ciarán Cuffe examines the exhibit from St. Paul's College

Exhibition launches in Dublin

2010-10-30T20:32:00.007+01:00

Minister Ciarán Cuffe with students from Mercy College, Coolock at the exhibition launch

The exhibition of A SPACE FOR LEARNING opens at the NCAD Gallery, Dublin on Thursday November 5th.
The exhibits are amazing, and range from models and drawings to film, installations and a giant paper plane...Don't miss it!
The book of the project will also be available at the gallery.

Gallery opening times -
NCAD Gallery, Harry Clarke House, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8
November 5, 2010 to January 29, 2011 (closed December 18-January 2).
Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm.

Benchmarked!

2010-06-22T12:23:00.009+01:00

The team at St Paul's College Raheny with their completed bench. For more see their blog:St. Paul's

Mercy College Coolock -Watch this space!

2010-06-22T10:21:00.004+01:00

A new blog will follow the project at Mercy College Coolock with architects Helen Kelly, Faela Guiden and Laura O'Brien. The whole school is getting involved and loads has been done already so look out for photos and updates.
Mercy College Coolock

all together now...

2010-04-20T12:25:00.007+01:00

From left to right: Paul O'Brien,CHORA Design Studio; Mark Gallagher, Magee Creedon Kearns Architects; Faela Guiden; Robert Bourke; Laura O'Brien; Rachel McAree (IAF); Ryan Hamill &
Eoin McElroy, Idir Architecture; Aideen McCole (IAF); Eoin Reddington, greenan murray reddington architects; Helen Kelly; Jim Corbett & Maria Donoghue, DonoghueCorbettArchitects; Paul Durcan, O'Donnell+Tuomey; Federico Scoponi;
Noel Brady, NJB A+U.

And the winners are...

2010-03-30T13:52:00.005+01:00

Having received 74 entries from schools and architects in 23 counties both sides of the border, The ASFL selection panel narrowed it down to ten winning teams. These teams will spend the next 2 months creating exhibits for a national touring exhibition starting in the autumn which will be funded by the Dept of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Dept of Education and Skills. So without further ado, here are the winners!

St. Patrick’s College Cavan/NJBA Architects+Urban Designers

Castletroy College Limerick/Donoghue Corbett Architects

Dundalk Grammar School Louth/Idir Architecture

St. Mary’s Secondary School Mallow/Chora Design Studio

Scoil Phobail Bheara Castletownbere/Magee Creedon Kearns Architects

St. Angela's College Cork City/O’Donnell + Tuomey

St. Paul’s College Raheny/Robert Bourke Architects

St. Dominic’s Secondary School Ballyfermot/Greenan Reddington Murray Architects

Mercy College Coolock/Helen Kelly, Laura O’Brien & Faela Guiden

Sandford Park School Ranelagh/Federico Scoponi

A big well done from the Irish Architecture Foundation to all the groups who participated, as as submissions were very strong, and a huge congratulations to the 10 winning teams! Good luck with the next two months :)

St Angela's, Cork and O'Donnell + Tuomey Architects

2010-03-16T15:03:00.004Z

Students at St Angela's College, Cork are in for a particular treat with their ASFL project: architects O'Donnell + Tuomey are designing an extension for their school, and A Space for Learning is an opportunity to get the students' input in the design. Here are some drawings and photos from the group's sessions in school as well as their architectural walk in Cork city.

Phase Two Selection...

2010-03-16T11:08:00.002Z

After receiving over 70 entries, selection for entry into Phase Two of A Space for Learning has been completed. Watch this space for the announcement of the winners...

Sacred Heart Clonakilty and Margaret Walsh

2010-03-09T15:44:00.013Z

Architect Margaret Walsh of Mike Shanahan & Associates has been busy with the students of Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty. Art Department Coordinator Judy O'Connell is in the thick of it too, as they all work together on the design & analysis challenges. Interviews, drawings, ballot boxes, photography, measuring, walkabouts and internet research are just some of the methods they've used to develop their ideas for A Space for Learning.

St Joseph's, Fairview with Aine Nic an Riogh & Monika Olanrewaju

2010-03-09T15:24:00.006Z

Things are looking colourful at St Joseph's, as students finalise their ideas with architects Aine Nic an Riogh and Monika Olanrewaju.
See their work on the St Joseph's blog

East Glendalough School, Wicklow & DMOD Architects

2010-03-09T15:11:00.009Z

Students from East Glendalough School have been busy examining and re-thinking some key areas of their school. Check out the work they've been doing with Michael Bassett of DMOD on their blog

Our Lady of Lourdes, New Ross and Isabel Barros

2010-03-08T10:07:00.010Z

Ideas are flowing fast from the students of Our Lady's in New Ross, Co Wexford, working with architect Isabel Barros.
Check out their albums of drawings and photographs:
Latest design album
New Ross architecture concepts

Press Coverage for A Space For Learning

2010-03-03T11:25:00.007Z

As things gain momentum for each team leading up to next week's Phase One deadline, A Space for Learning is gaining press coverage around the country. Rachel McAree, Education Curator at the IAF, has done two radio interviews on the project so far: one with Near FM and one with Dublin City FM, joined by architect Robert Bourke who is working with St Paul's Raheny. You can listen to a podcast of Rachel and Robert here:

Listed below are all the articles written on the project so far:

Wicklow People, 24 Feb 2010, Students compete to transform face of school design

Bray People, 24 Feb 2010, Students compete to transform face of school design

Sligo Champion, 24 Feb 2010, Architects team up with local schools

Fingal Independent, 23 Feb 2010, Students are architects of their success

Carlow People, 23 Feb 2010, Students are designing their own school

Limerick Post, 20 Feb 2010, Architects work with local schools

Nationalist - Carlow, 19 Feb 2010, Designing space the final frontier for CBS boys

Clare Champion, 19 Feb 2010, Pupils design a space for learning

Echo - West, 18 Feb 2010, Architects and pupils team up for competition

Offaly Express, 17 Feb 2010, Building for the future

The Argus, Dundalk, 17 Feb 2010, Programme looking for budding architects

Drogheda Independent, 17 Feb 2010, Designing a 'space for learning'

The Kingdom, 16 Feb 2010, Kerry architects provide a space

Clare People, 16 Feb 2010, News in brief

Sligo Post, 16 Feb 2010, Architects and schools in education programme

Waterford News & Star, 16 Feb 2010, News in Brief

Irish Times Weekend Review, 13 Feb 2010, HORIZONS

Offaly Independent, 13 Feb 2010, Offaly architects and schools collaborate on design ...

Mullingar Advertiser, 12 Feb 2010, Westmeath architects and schools participate in IAF ...

Longford Leader, 12 Feb 2010, Mercy Secondary, Ballymahon

Athlone Advertiser, 12 Feb 2010, Westmeath architects and schools participate in IAF ...

If you'd like a clipping but are having trouble finding it online, send us an email and we'll send you a pdf of the press item you'd like.

€3000 or less?!

2010-02-23T13:14:00.003Z

Perhaps this type of display could be viable for future ASFL-style exhibitions...

Holographic Architectural Imaging by Zebra from Core77 on Vimeo.

Pobalscoil Rosmini, Drumcondra and Patrick Hunt and Adrian King

2010-02-09T10:23:00.003Z

Architects Patrick Hunt and Adrian King are working with Pobalscoil Rosmini in Drumcondra, Dublin. Here's what they have to say about the project so far:

"We have been visiting the T.Y. students on a regular basis and have undertaken a number of small architectural projects with them, including a space for contemplation and a live-work conglolerate for a small community. We also took the students to see Liam Mc Cormick’s Our Lady of Delours Chapel in Glasnevin and divided the students into small groups making observations and sketches about threshold, structure volume and light.

We have posted up some of the student’s sketches which we find evocative and can take some inspiration from. One is an abstract idea about the relationship between landscape and the classroom exploring the connection between space and nature. The other sketch is a section through a house for 50 people and shows a student’s idea about what this might include. Through this exercise we were able to highlight shared and private spaces within a building and where these overlapping spaces might occur.

These exercises highlighted the love affair modern students have with technology. Play stations, nintendo DS and all manner of electronic media featured in the majority of the drawings produced. Even when asked to consider the quality and character of the spaces themselves, students still tended to design a place for their machines. From these observations we have noticed the effects that this technological obsession is having on the student understanding of the world around them. We feel it is important to remake the lost connections between nature, growth, play and learning."

-Patrick Hunt and Adrian King

St. Paul's College Raheny and Robert Bourke

2010-02-05T15:16:00.006Z

Students from St. Paul's College Raheny have spent the last two weeks doing an analysis of their existing school with architect Robert Bourke. They're tracking progress on the St Paul's blog - Keep an eye out for their upcoming design ideas.

A Space for Learning Press Release

2010-02-03T15:45:00.003Z

120 ARCHITECTS WORK WITH 1,500 STUDENTS ON IAF
EDUCATION PROGRAMME ‘A SPACE FOR LEARNING’

The Irish Architecture Foundation has kicked off its new education programme
with A Space for Learning, a design competition to challenge current thinking on
school design, where architects collaborate with the end-users of educational
spaces –the students.

A Space for Learning features more than 1,500 students in 90 schools, currently working with
120 architects around the country to design a creative response to the concept ‘a space for
learning’. Students are working with architects to create and to submit their design ideas to an IAF
panel for selection in March 2010. Winning teams will receive funding to develop their design for a
national exhibition tour, which will begin in Autumn 2010.

Participating professionals include established award-winning architects such as O’Donnell Tuomey
and A2 architects, and talented architectural graduates such as Galway Harbour Ideas competition
winners Laura O'Brien and Faela Guiden.

“It’s really inspiring to see so many talented architects and students working together on new visions for
their own learning spaces”, said IAF Education Curator, Rachel McAree. “The competition also works as
an exchange – the architects find out what young people need from the spaces they use everyday and the
students learn about design through participation - a great way to learn anything.”

IAF Director Nathalie Weadick added “This is a very important project for the IAF, whose role is to raise
awareness about the value of architecture, and is a priority within our education programme. We’re
delighted by the response from architects, both established and emerging.”

Peter Timmins, teacher at Sutton Park School, Dublin enthused “In the 20 years I've been teaching I
have been looking for a project like this to do with my TY students. It ticks all the boxes! The interest and
enthusiasm it has generated is beyond words. Their blog gives some indication of the commitment to the
project.”

Participants are encouraged to exchange ideas, post images and report their experiences at
www.aspaceforlearning.blogspot.com.

For more information or to be a part of the IAF’s education programme in the future, contact us at
info@architecturefoundation.ie / www.architecturefoundation.ie

For more media information, contact
Annette Nugent annettenugent@iol.ie +353.86.6820971

A Space for Learning is funded through the Environment Fund of the Department of the
Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The Irish Architecture Foundation is funded by Arts Council of Ireland, Department of Environment,
Heritage and Local Government, Dublin City Council, Office of Public Works and Royal Institute of the
Architects of Ireland.

We are supported by Irish Architectural Archive, Architectural Association of Ireland & Open House
London.

We are gratefully funded by Patrons, Benefactors and Friends. Patrons: Treasury Holdings,
Benefactors: O’Connell Mahon Architects, Friends, Box Architecture.

Alexandra College and Minka McInerney

2010-02-03T11:44:00.003Z

Architect Minka McInerney and the TY students of Alexandra College are using the Consensus Design process to design a space for contemplation on the school grounds. The Consensus Design process what evolved by the British architect Christopher Day from the idea of social inclusion in the decision-making process, allowing all those involved to have their say.

The students have been spending time in their chosen site on the school campus to record physical characteristics as well as the mood and atmosphere of the site, and some of their sketches and mood impressions are above. They've also been researching the site's history, studying the school's history and historical maps.

Up until now, the group has purposely not spoken about how the finished work will look - only about how the feel about the site as it is, and how they would like it to feel when it's complete. Their design should "grow" from this work organically. It's an interesting approach, and one we're excited to see the results of!

Gorey Community School and Winkens Architecture

2010-02-03T10:46:00.002Z

The Transition Year students at Gorey Community School are working on A Space for Learning with Zeno Winkens of Winkens Architecture. The group has decided to look at how their own school environment can be improved, focussing on the school reception area. To have a look at what their doing, visit their project blog here:

Sligo Grammar School and architects James Siggins and Sile Stewart

2010-02-03T10:20:00.003Z

Sligo Grammar School have a number of teams working with a number of architects. This group, working with James Siggins and Sile Stewart, seem to be making a lot of progress with sketches and models - looking forward to seeing how it develops!

St Benildus College Kilmacud and Ciaran O'Brien

2010-02-02T16:14:00.005Z

The Transitition Year students at St Benildus College in Dublin have been meeting with architect Ciaran O'Brien to discuss their project. If they enjoy architecture as much as they enjoyed those biscuits, I think they're going to get a lot from A Space for Learning :)

Dundalk Grammar School: brainstorming

2010-02-02T16:07:00.003Z

The students at Dundalk Grammar School have been brainstorming with Ryan and Eoin from idir architecture. Take a look at some of their inspirations over on their blog :)

St Kilian's Deutsche Schule Clonskeagh and Simon Keogh

2010-02-02T15:40:00.004Z

Architect Simon Keogh is working with St Kilian's Deutsche Schule in Clonskeagh in Dublin, and they seem to get generating some interesting ideas so far... looking forward to seeing more from them!

Sutton Park School and Studio Red Architects

2010-01-21T15:31:00.012Z

Sutton Park School students have created Sutton Park blog to help pool their ideas as a class and organise themselves. Their collaboration with Grainne Dunne & Nicola Ryan of Studio Red is cooking up a storm of ideas.

Dundalk Grammar School and idir architecture

2010-01-20T14:23:00.004Z

A Space for Learning is well under way at Dundalk Grammar School, and students there are collaborating with Ryan Hamill and Eoin McElroy of idir architecture. Visit their learning spaces blog to see what they've been up to so far.

Architect’s Brief, January 2010

2010-01-20T10:11:00.006Z

Phase One:

A Space for Learning is a two-phase design competition encouraging collaboration between architects and students. 110 architects and more than 90 schools are currently participating in Phase One of the project, where the aim is to tease out the students’ ideas on design and architecture and expose the architects to the wants and needs of their end-users. Over the course of Phase One, each group will develop a design for a learning space, and documentation of that design idea must be submitted to the Irish Architecture Foundation by the 26th February(extended to 10th March) for consideration for participation in Phase Two.

Phase Two:

Between 5 and 10 selected groups will develop their design idea into an exhibition. Proposed ideas for exhibition format (for example, an architectural model, design boards, a film) to be included in the submission due on the 10th March. Selected groups will meet with the Irish Architecture Foundation in mid-March to finalise exhibition plans before further school workshops commence, with the overall coherence of the exhibition in mind.
Exhibition pieces are to be completed by the 28th May.
Participants of Phase Two will receive funding of €3000 to produce the exhibit. The breakdown of this funding into fees /materials/ production costs will be finalised during the mid-March meeting .The exhibits will form a national touring exhibition, beginning in late 2010.

Material to be submitted by the 10th March:

In order to be considered for Phase Two of A Space for Learning and the national touring exhibition, you must submit the following on behalf of your group on or before the 10th March:

Format: 2 A4 pages, to be emailed to education@architecturefoundation.ie (PDF or JPEG format), each clearly labelled with the name of the school and the architect(s)/architectural practice.

Criteria: Your proposal must demonstrate quality engagement between participants, architect and student. We are looking for innovative designs that address the following: sustainability, function, quality design, context, while also prioritizing the practical needs of the school and the students.

Content: Your A4 pages should give a clear indication of the following:
• What you are designing – for example, a school building, a classroom, an intervention, an outdoor learning space, an independent structure, a multi-use space, a space for specific use etc (drawings/visuals preferable, written description also useful)

• What is the idea behind your design?

• What issues you are addressing with your design – for example, sustainability, aesthetics, comfort, efficiency etc

• What involvement have the students had so far, what is their input? Consider including their written input, their drawings, photographs etc
Demonstration of the learning outcome for students & architect.

• What way you would propose to communicate that idea in an exhibition – for example, a model, detailed drawings and design boards, a film, a performance etc

This may seem like a lot to communicate in a small space, so keep everything as clear as you can. Even if you don’t advance to Phase Two, we intend to display everyone’s Phase One submission as part of the exhibition, so they will receive a wider audience than the selection panel.

Timeline: As a separate document you should outline how you propose to reach your goal at the end of Phase Two, i.e. how you will prepare for the exhibition, how many meetings you are planning to have with the students and so on. This document must be signed off by the teacher you are dealing with, as your timeline needs to take into account school holidays and the students’ other commitments.

In this document you should also outline the production plan, For example, is your exhibit to be produced during school workshops or commissioned professionally to a design developed with your students? All costs, including materials, workshop fees and any production costs must be within the maximum budget of €3000.

Additional Information:

Selection Panel: The selection panel will consist of:
Emmett Scanlon, Architecture Advisor to the Arts Council, CAST Architecture
Helen O’Donoghue, Senior Curator and Head of Education and Community Programmes, IMMA
Rachel McAree, Education Curator, IAF

The selection panel may also include representatives the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and other government departments involved in funding this project, to be confirmed.

Checklist: Here is a reminder of the documents you must send us by the 10th March:
• 2 A4 pages, clearly labelled, outlining your design idea and exhibition proposal
• 1 document outlining your timeline for Phase Two and your budget

Feel free to post any comments or questions below - perhaps fellow participants can help with any queries you have :)

The Architects

2010-01-11T14:40:00.024Z

Here is a list of all participating schools and architects, and where possible, we've included links to the websites and portfolios of some of the participating architects. Have a look to see what they get up to when they're not visiting your school.....

Carlow:
Keith Graham of FORM Architecture is working with St Mary's CBS Academy, Carlow

Cavan:
Noel J Brady of NJBA A+U is working with St Patrick's College, Cavan

Clare:
Sioban Mulcahy Architect is working with Gaelcholaiste an Chlair and Colaiste Mhuire, Ennis, Clare

Cork:
James Bourke of James Bourke Architects, Cork are working with Midleton College, Cork
Aidan Dennehy of ABACUS architecture+design is working with Glanmire Community College, Cork
Sarah Mulrooney and Edward Raftery of Mulrooney + Raftery Architects are working with Ursuline Secondary School, Cork
O'Donnell+Tuomey Architects are working with St. Angela's College, Cork
Mark Gallagher of Magee Creedon Kearns Architects, Cork is working with Beara Community School, Cork
Shane Kerrisk Architect is working with Scoil Mhuire Kanturk, Cork
Cathal O’Boyle of Traynor O’Toole Architects is working with Davitt College, Cork
Paul O’Brien of CHORA Design Studio is working with St Mary’s Secondary School Mallow, Cork
Margaret Walsh from Mike Shanahan & Associates is working with Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty

Donegal:
Duncan McLaren from Dedalus Architecture, Donegal is working with Carndonagh Community School, Donegal
PW Haslette Architects, Donegal are working with Royal and Prior Comprehensive School, Donegal
David Wylde, Donegal is working with Deele College, Donegal

Dublin:
Anello Architects, Dublin are working with St Dominics College, Cabra
Adrian King and Patrick Hunt, Dublin are working with Rosmini School, Drumcondra
Aileen Igoe of GCA Architects, Dublin are working with Mount Temple Comprehensive School, Dublin
Aoife Banim, Dublin is working with Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan
Iain Pilkington of 3RRR Architects, Dublin is working with St. Mary's Holy Faith School, Killester
Laura O'Brien and Faela Guiden along with Helen Kelly are working with Mercy College, Coolock
Robert Bourke Architects are working with St. Pauls School, Raheny
Myrto Dowling of GCA Architects, Dublin and Maria Tarsouli are working with The Donahies Community School, Donaghmede
Sarah Keaveney and Mark Halpin, Dublin are working with Blackrock College, Blackrock
McLoughlin Architects, Dublin are working with Muckross Park College
Ciaran O'Brien of GCA Architects, Dublin is working with St. Benildus College, Donaghmede
Carson and Crushell Architects, Dublin and Kerry are working with the High School, Rathgar
Gary O'Hare of KMD Architects, Dublin is working with Rathdown School, Dun Laoghaire
Federico Scoponi, Dublin is working with Sandford Park School, Ranelagh
Bobby Conroy Architects, Dublin are working with Drimnagh Castle School, Drimnagh
A2 Architects are working with Chanel College, Coolock
Simon Keogh of Urban Asylum is working with St. Kilian's German School, Clonskeagh
Studio Red Architects are working with Sutton Park School, Sutton

Kate Dowling of Kate Dowling Architects is working with Santa Sabina, Sutton and Our Lady of Mercy, Beaumont

Natalie Walsh and Eibhlin O'Connor are working with St Declan's College, Nephin Road
3RRR Architects are working with St. Mary's Holy Faith School, Killester
Aine Nic an Riogh and Monika Olanrewaju are working with St Joseph's Fairview
Aoife Tuomey and Angela Carr are working with Gaelcholaiste Reachrann, Donaghmede
Sarah Keaveney and Mark Halpin are working with Blackrock College, Blackrock
Minka McInerney - Ecological Architect & Sustainability Consultant is working with Alexandra College, Milltown
Greenan Murray Reddington Architects are working with St Dominic’s Secondary School, Ballyfermot
Niamh Kiernan from Tormey Hogan Architects is working with Our Lady’s School, Templeogue
Monica Janson and Anne Gorman are working with St. Tiernan’s Community School, Balally
Arthur Acheson and Adrienne Smyth of The Boyd Partnership, Belfast are working with Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin

Galway:
Shane Meehan, formerly of Gair Williamson Architects (now with Roisin Hanley Architects) is working with Dunmore Community School, Galway
David HeffernanHeffernan and Associates is working with St. Mary's College, Galway
Lester Naughton is working with Coláiste Cholmcille, Indreabhán, Co. Galway

Kerry:
Mary O'Connell and Sean MacGillicuddy from O'Sullivan Campbell Architects, Kerry are working with Colaiste na Sceilge and Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, Kerry
John Phelan is working with Presentation Secondary School, Listowel
David Moriarty is working with Mercy Mounthawk School, Tralee

Kildare:
Vivian Cummins Architects, Kildare are working with Ard Scoil na Triomoide, Kildare

Leitrim Longford and Meath:
Shane O’Rourke & Deirdre Meagher of Philip Brady Architects are working with Mohill Community College, Leitrim, St Patrick’s Classical School, Navan and three schools in Longford: Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon, Cnoc Mhuire Secondary School,Granard and Moyne Community School
Nicholas Sweeney of Sweeney Architects is working with Meanscoil Mhuire, Longford.

Limerick:
Donoghue Corbett Architects and Jan Frohburg, Limerick are working with Castletroy College, Limerick
O'Connor Shanahan Architects, Limerick are working with Ard Scoil Ris, Limerick

Louth:
Jan van Dijk is working with Bush Post Primary School, Dundalk, Co Louth
Emmet Humphreys is working with Our Lady's College, Greenhills, Drogheda
Kathriona Lyons is working with St Vincent’s School, Dundalk
Ryan Hamill and Eoin McElroy from idir architecture are working with Dundalk Grammar School

Mayo:
Helena McElmeel of AXO Architects is working with Ballinrobe Community School, Mayo
Cuala McGann of McGann Scahill Architects are working with Sacred Heart School, Westport
Louise Connolly and Karen Reilly are working with Davitt College, Castlebar

Offaly:
McCarthy O'Hora Architects, Laois are working with Sacred Heart School, Offaly
Kenny Lyons and Associates are working with Killina Presentation School, Tullamore

Sligo:
Peter Scanlon and Seana Clarke are working with St. Mary’s College, Ballisodare
Elaine Regan and Linda Nally, Michelle Fahy and Janice Folliard, Grainne Kivlehan and Linda Rooney are working with The Ursuline College, Sligo
Koey Chang and Anna Nester, James Siggins and Sile Stewart are working with The Grammar School, Sligo

Tipperary:
Hennessy Architects, Tipperary are working with Presentation Secondary School, Tipperary

Waterford:
Jack Ferguson is working with Waterpark College, Waterford

Westmeath:
Elaine Hanna, Westmeath is working with Loreto College, Westmeath
Raymond Higgins of Kenny Lyons Associates is working with Athlone Community School, Westmeath
John Whyte of Whyte Architectural & Energy Consultancy is working with Wilson’s Hospital School, Multyfarnham

Wexford:
Zeno Winkens of Winkens Architecture is working with Gorey Community School, Wexford
Isabel Barros is working with Our Lady of Lourdes, New Ross

Wicklow:
DMOD Architects, Dublin are working with East Glendalough School, Wicklow
Des Kennedy of Shay Cleary Architects, Dublin is working with Blessington Community College, Wicklow

Northern Ireland:
Boyd Partnership Architects, Belfast are working with Glenlola Collegiate School, Bangor, and Loreto College, St Stephen's Green, Dublin

Architects, if you've got a website or online portfolio but we haven't listed it, send us a link and we'll add it to the blog :) Same if you've written anything or had anything written about you that can be found online...

The Statistics

2009-12-16T12:20:00.001Z

Here at the IAF office we're finishing up the pairing of architects and schools for A Space for Learning. We've paired up over 100 architects with more than 80 schools in 26 counties on both sides of the border!
Over 145 schools applied for the programme, out of the 550 schools with transition year that we wrote to in early October.

That's quite a result!

Starting Points

2009-12-14T15:54:00.001Z

If this is the first time you've really considered architecture and the built environment (or the first time you've tried getting others to consider it), these are some of the things you'll need to start thinking about and discussing:

• How a building makes a person feel – do they like or dislike a certain building and why?

• How the building is made – does the construction look simple or does the building make you wonder how it was put together?

• The use of spaces/buildings – how do people use a particular space? Is the space easy/difficult to use? Can it be used in more than one way?

• The shape of buildings – why is a building shaped a certain way? Do they like or dislike its shape? How does the shape/scale of a building work in its environment/context?

• Sustainability/health – how does a building’s design affect the environment its in and the people who use it? How does it make people feel in terms of physical/emotional health? How does it use energy? How is it heated, how is it lit?

• Colours, textures, materials, light – how do these qualities affect a building’s look, use, atmosphere?

• The style of a building – is a building traditional/old-fashioned or contemporary and modern? Is it warm and welcoming or cold and industrial? How do you create the style of a building?

• The people who use a space – do different people have different needs when it comes to the spaces they use? How can the same space accommodate people of different ages with different needs or interests?

Take a look at the buildings around you and consider some of these points. Also take a look at some of the sites listed in Other Useful Links (--->) to find some architecture and design that you like and find some inspirations for your designs. If you find any other sites worth looking at, or if you've been taking photos of the architecture around you, please send it to us so we can share it on the blog :)

About A Space for Learning

2009-12-14T15:45:00.000Z

A Space for Learning is a design competition initiated by the Irish Architecture Foundation to challenge current thinking on school design, creating an opportunity for architects to collaborate with the end-users of educational spaces -the students.

This is a very important project for the IAF, whose role is to raise awareness about the value of architecture and is a priority within our education programme.

The project works as an ideas competition in two stages and involves a creative collaboration between architects and schools. Architects will meet with Transition Year students from a school of their choice, facilitating the students’ input into the design of “a space for learning”. The open brief invites a creative response to the concept.

Designs are submitted for selection to a panel. Winning teams will receive funding to develop their design for exhibition during April/May 2010. The IAF hope to tour this exhibition in late 2010 and run a series of public talks in relation to the exhibition.

A Space for Learning is funded through the Environment Fund of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Read more on the discussion about design for education here and take part in the poll on the influence of schools design here.

Welcome to our blog!

2009-12-09T16:02:00.000Z

As part of A Space for Learning, the Education team at the Irish Architecture Foundation has set up a blog as a way of providing resources for participants. The blog is also an opportunity for architects, teachers and students to share their experiences of the project, and we hope you and the students will take the opportunity provide write-ups, photos, sketches, source material, videos and much more as you go through the project. Blog content can be easily derived from the workshops or any other classes that the schools may be linking to the project. It could also come in the form of any personal reports or log books that students may be required to write as part of the Transition Year programme. Come and visit to find useful links, articles and images and see what other schools and architects are up to. If any participants have any blog content, you can email it to aideen@architecturefoundation.ie or education@architecturefoundation.ie and we will put it online for you!