On July 2, I'm joining 60 other jurors to judge submissions to Architecture for Humanity's Open Architecture Network 2009 Challenge. The theme is building a better classroom.
This is really important to me as the photo below shows the classroom where I went to primary school. This classroom is still in use today exactly as you see. There is no power, Internet, or running water, and no lights, desks, chairs, windows, computers, and not enough books for each student to have her own. Kids sit on the floor whether it's the cold winter or the hot summer.
My dream is to rebuild Wimbe Primary school with new classrooms, wind and solar power, clean water, a kitchen to provide meals, a new library, a clinic and a community meeting room. It's a big dream and a long ways away but I'm starting to think about how to make this happen.
Watch the video about this contest
More about the challenge:
From June 5th to July 3rd more than 60 jurors will review all the entries to select the best of the best. Stay tuned for more information and announcements.
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Teachers and students know what makes a classroom work. We're inviting you to design the classroom of the future together.
According to the World Bank, educating all children worldwide will require the construction of 10 million new classrooms in more than 100 countries by 2015. At the same time, millions of existing classrooms are in serious need of repair and refurbishment.
Let's get started.
We are inviting you, teachers, students, architects and designers, to work together to design the classroom of the future for a school of your choosing. Your design should address the unique challenges your school faces in trying to provide smart, safe and sustainable learning spaces. Students and teachers, here's your chance to tell the world what you need to make your classroom more effective. Architects and designers, you'll work one-on-one with students to translate those needs into better classroom design.
- Share your design expertise and inspire school students to re-imagine their classroom
- Help students learn about the built environment using a companion design curriculum
- Become an advocate for better classroom design in your community
If your design wins, your school will receive up to $50,000 in funding for classroom construction and upgrading. You will receive a grant of $5,000 to help them do it.
