Old Buildings See New Life As Schools

School officials in the UK are increasingly looking at old office buildings and other existing facilities that can be converted into school houses more affordably than building from scratch.

1 minute read

December 14, 2009, 5:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg

This article takes a tour of an old office building that was recently converted into a school.

"It's an idea that could become widespread. The Conservatives have already made it clear that, should they win power next year, schools will have to do more with less, swapping new buildings for converting old offices, church halls and municipal buildings.

Experts think it can be done: refurbishment and remodelling "already play a major part" in school building programmes, says Ty Goddard, the head of the British Council for School Environments. In future, "imagination and wise thinking" will be needed to make the most of what's there already, he adds."

FULL STORY: Newly converted into classrooms

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 in Guardian

Education & Careers Urban Development United Kingdom Adaptive Reuse Schools

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.