The needs of students are unique to each. All learn and perceive in different ways, and the art of retaining information is distinctive to the individual. The spaces in which children learn are no longer your stereotypical rows of desks with a blackboard at the front, there’s a number of specialised spaces to ensure that students at a preschool, primary, secondary and tertiary level feel comfortable.

This is the future of education. Functional and accessible breakout spaces and classrooms that invite either collaboration or isolation are important for the growth of students. The other major factor, as we look to either reinvigorate or create educational spaces, is ensuring the environmental output of these buildings are minimal.

Given the sheer size and capacity of educational institutions, carbon neutrality is a must. While a difficult task, it can be done, and has been proven by a long list of former Sustainability Awards winners, both in the Education & Research category and beyond.

The category criteria for the Education & Research category calls for a childcare centre, preschool, primary, secondary or tertiary educational facility or a faculty where an educational institution is a partner. Projects submitted must display an original approach to addressing issues of sustainability through design and integrated technology, with the building demonstrating both an immediate and ongoing functionality and performance in the context of sustainability within the educational environment.

The key considerations of the jury for the category include: brief, originality, immediate functionality and ongoing performance, sustainable materials and technologies, relevance to context, high levels of research, longevity of both building and sustainable outcomes.

Timberlink is the Proud Sponsor of the Education & Research category. The company believes sustainability to be more than a policy, and sees it as part of its DNA. Timberlink defines sustainability as making business decisions that make the world better and not worse off.

The company looks to be responsible for the wider community and creates sustainable products and client relationships that are strong and enduring. 97 percent of Timberlink’s Australian log intake is certified by either the Responsible Wood/PEFC or FSC® schemes, or both, underlining the desire to be as sustainable and environmentally conscious as possible.

The Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney will hold the first in-person Sustainability Awards since 2019 in November later this year. To be standing on the stage in front of a number of built environment professionals, submit your project here.

Image: Oran Park High School, designed by Pedavoli.

Jarrod Reedie

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