Leading consultant inspires Academy design

Chief Consultant Lene Jensby Lange of School Development Grontmij Carl Bro Ltd, shared her experience of working on a remarkable educational experiment on a visit to Parkwood Academy.   

Lene Lange was one of the main consultants working on the groundbreaking school of Hellerup in Gentofte, Denmark. She acknowledged that practises are still very influenced by habits and tradition embedded in our school buildings and choice of furniture.  She challenged Parkwood Academy to rethink their ideas on education by asking three fundamental questions:

Can we escape from our history?

Can we rethink schools?

Can we transform learning? 

Lange, went on to share that home zones, indoor shoes, flexible learning areas and futuristic design aimed at improving learning opportunities, are transforming the traditional school experience for students and staff in Denmark.

Plans for the academy’s new buildings, which are scheduled to open in September 2012, are now well advanced.

Principal Chris Mallaband said: “Denmark is leading the world in 21^st Century school design, so  Lene Lange as one of the leading exponents, helped us think differently about creating a superb new environment for our students. She understands the impact design can have on education and how design can be transformed by education.”

“We want a building that inspires learning and also acts as a beacon for the community.  I’m keen to encourage new and future pupils and their families to engage in the process because the new academy will be an important part of the local community for many years to come.”

Yasmin Shariff, Head of Design at EACT, said: “As a sponsor we want creative and inspiring environments. Our academies are important community resources, and we are striving to create the best facilities possible for students, staff and people living in the neighbourhood.”