CEFPI involved in ‘Innovative Spaces and Pedagogy’

CEFPI members made significant contributions to the University of Melbourne Masters elective ‘Innovative Spaces and Pedagogy’ during two weekend sessions in late July and early August.

'Innovative Spaces and Pedagogy’ is an interdisciplinary elective subject available to Masters of Architecture and Masters of Education students at the University of Melbourne. The subject is taught by CEFPI members Dr Ken Woodman (No. 42 Architects) and Dr Ben Cleveland (University of Melbourne). CEFPI’s involvement in the subject in 2012 has not, however, stopped there. CEFPI members Judith North and Neville Cowland (NOW Architecture) and Jo Dane (Woods Bagot) have also presented guest lectures to the class of 40 students.

Judith and Neville spoke during a site visit on to Meadows Primary School,which they designed. Their presentation provided students with insight into the many factors that need to be addressed when master planning and designing a new school – especially one formed through the amalgamation of two existing schools. Their presentation also informed the group about the design intentions behind the spaces to support the learning.

Jo spoke at the Southbank offices of Woods Bagot. She talked about past, current and likely educational thrends and the connections of educational approaches to architectural design. This site visit included a tour of the Woods Bagot studio, which was of great interest to both the architecture and education students.

An additional session at the University also saw the CEFPI influence, with the ‘Learning Furniture – Don’t Just Stuff It’ workshop run as an introduction to how to design learning environments from the inside-out (see image). As unsual, this activity proved a great vehicle for engaging participants in deep conversations about the learning/space nexus.

'Don’t Just Stuff It’ DVD is available for sale on the CEFPI website Library/publications