Educational architecture

Educational architecture, school architecture or school building design is a discipline which practices architect and others for the design of educational institutions, such as schools and universities, as well as other choices in the educational design of learning experiences. The design of building can significantly influence the learning experience of students. Additionally, because schools are important sources of traffic, employment and community activities, school buildings often act as anchor institutions in neighborhoods or communities. The decline of a school can have significant impact on local communities.

Educational buildings are often purpose built: designed with architectural choices unique to schools, such as classrooms and centralized restrooms, and other purpose built features. When the schools are closed, its often hard to repurpose the buildings. For example, in 2013, Chicago closed 50 school buildings, and even in 2023, the government was struggling to identify new tenants and how to utilize the buildings.

Various countries have gone through significant changes in philosophies associated with educational institutions, influenced by trends in investment by governments as well as larger changes in educational philosophy.

Scope
Though primarily dealing with the physical building where education is given, for example a school. Educational An educational architect can therefore also be someone without an official architect's title. Both the methodical as the physical structure of the education influence the learning outcomes.

Examples of educational architecture as redesign of the physical place are
 * learning places instead of classrooms,
 * applying standards for the indoor environment.

Examples of educational architecture as redesign of the education process are
 * designing courses,
 * the development of an virtual learning environment.

Also

 * Joseph Fuller, G. Topham Forrest, Sadie Morgan; architects specialised in educational architecture.
 * Glenda Lappan, Robert Glaser; educational designers.
 * Harvard Graduate Center; innovator of educational architecture
 * The Children's Village at the Canuanã School; winner of the award "Best Building of Educational Architecture of the World" (2018)