Choreographing the learning environment

15 October 2009

At this year’s Primary Capital Action event, Nightingale Associates took centre stage to explain the theory of sensory learning and to introduce a potentially ground-breaking primary school experiment.

Although the Government has recently invested extra funds into primary school refurbishment and building, this will not help all of the UK’s schools. Nightingale Associates also explained how to transform life-expired buildings and encapsulate sensory learning on modest budgets.

Nightingale Associates, which hopes its classroom experiment will prove that sensory design can aid learning, attracted much interest from delegates. The practice's presentation, Testing the Theory: Simplistic Design + Low Investment = Maximised Pupil Performance, explained how the experiment would transform one primary school classroom - on a small budget - to adopt the principles of Sense Sensitive Design.

Design Research and Innovation Director, Richard Mazuch, and Associate Director, Rachel Bassindale, explained how refurbishment should be more than just freshly-painted walls; it should take into account the physiological and psychological impact the school setting has on our children.

“Nightingale Associates has been exploring the way the body perceives and responds to sensory stimuli. Through extensive analysis, the theory recognises a link between children’s environments and their capacity to learn.

“In collaboration with university and industry partners, we now intend to undertake a primary school research project to prove this hypothesis. We introduced this potentially ground-breaking experiment at the Primary Capital Action event, which generated much interest amongst delegates.”

Richard Mazuch, Design Research and Innovation Director

The presentation outlined the methodology, design tools and expected outcomes of the experiment, and gave delegates the opportunity to challenge the research with the aim to better the approach.

The Second Annual Primary Capital Action Conference gave those involved in the planning and delivery of PCP funds an opportunity to meet and exchange valuable knowledge and experience. Last year’s event was a tremendous success, with over 300 delegates, 20 high-level speakers, and the most influential suppliers involved in delivering the PCP having gathered to discuss best practice in developing innovative Strategies for Change.

Primary Capital Action 2009 event took place on 14th October at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.