Integrating Children's Perspectives in School Design: A Neuroarchitectural Approach

The presentation by Marie Osteen and Mariana Miranda from the Technical University of Darmstadt explores the innovative use of children's perspectives in designing health-promoting school environments. By employing a game-based method inspired by Kevin Lynch's work, the researchers engage children in evaluating their school spaces through a mobile application. This participatory approach not only gathers valuable data on children's spatial cognition and user experience but also informs future architectural designs. The findings emphasize the importance of creating adaptable educational spaces that cater to the diverse needs of children, highlighting the transformative potential of neuroarchitecture in shaping user-centered environments.

Introduction and Research Background

0:00 - 2:17

The presentation begins with an introduction by Marie Osteen and Mariana Miranda, who represent a research group from the Technical University of Darmstadt. They focus on health-promoting design in architecture, particularly in school environments. The presenters introduce a tool designed to evaluate school environments with the involvement of children. This tool is inspired by Kevin Lynch's work from the 1970s, which emphasized the importance of considering children's perspectives in urban design. The presenters argue that children, as primary users of school spaces, should be actively involved in research through engaging methods like games. They introduce a game-based method, 'I Spy,' to analyze school environments, aiming to provide architects and planners with insights to improve these spaces. This segment is compelling as it highlights the innovative approach of using children's perspectives to inform architectural design, emphasizing the importance of user-centered research in creating effective educational environments.

Tool Implementation and Contextual Challenges

2:18 - 6:48

The presenters elaborate on the tool's implementation, which includes a mobile application and guidelines for schools. Children use the app to explore their school environment, take photos, and annotate them with stickers to describe the spaces. This method collects data on how children perceive their surroundings, which is later discussed in workshops. The context of Darmstadt, a city influenced by nearby Frankfurt, is described as a growing urban area with increasing demands for housing and schools. The challenge of designing multifunctional spaces within limited urban areas is emphasized. The segment is intriguing as it combines technology with participatory research, allowing children to express their views creatively. It underscores the importance of adapting educational spaces to meet the evolving needs of urban populations and the role of innovative tools in facilitating this process.

Research Findings and Children's Perspectives

6:49 - 12:03

Mariana Miranda discusses the research findings, highlighting how children documented their favorite and least favorite spaces in the school. The use of stickers allowed children to express their perceptions of spaces as relaxing or stressful, among other attributes. The data revealed patterns in how children use and perceive different areas, such as preferring certain spots for relaxation or activity. Workshops with children provided further insights, revealing their desire for varied communal spaces and personal areas. This segment is particularly engaging as it showcases the direct impact of children's input on understanding spatial cognition and user experience. It highlights the novelty of using children's feedback to inform architectural design, demonstrating the potential for more inclusive and responsive educational environments.

Implications for Design and Future Research

12:04 - 17:07

The presenters reflect on the implications of their findings for architectural design, emphasizing the need to create spaces that cater to children's diverse needs. They discuss the potential for using the collected data to inform future school designs and the importance of considering children's perspectives in architectural research. The segment concludes with a discussion on the broader impact of their work, including its potential to inspire further research and applications in neuroarchitecture. This part of the presentation is compelling as it highlights the transformative potential of integrating children's insights into architectural design, paving the way for more adaptive and user-centered educational spaces. It also underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing the field of neuroarchitecture.