“The spy is drawn in by a colorful shadow
and he begins to do what he does best.
The guards are hidden. But when the spy
turns around, his cloak begins to
shimmer!"
– The Spy with the Shimmering Cloak by
students at Carl-Bolle Elementary School
The entrance and new exploratory learning space of the Carl-Bolle Elementary School in Berlin-Moabit, Germany is a wonderful example of The Third Teacher Idea 71: “Consult with kids.”
Students at Carl-Bolle were invited to design workshops by the project’s designers. The design team converted a previously inaccessible hallway into an engaging and unique learning space using the story The Spy with the Shimmering Cloak, which was developed by the children.
The designers, the Baupiloten, are a collaboration of professional architects, engineers and students at the Institute for Architecture within Berlin Technical University. The Baupiloten takes on projects with an educational, social or community-building bent. They encourage participatory design with their clients to ensure that clients identify with their new space. The design team used story development workshops to understand the students’ needs and desires for their learning environment.
The exploratory learning hall at Carl-Bolle Elementary School was designed to strike a balance between learning and free time. Carl-Bolle was transitioning from a part-day to full-day school and wanted to provide the students with a space to enjoy and explore. Most elementary schools in Berlin do not operate on a full-day schedule, so Carl-Bolle students needed a space to feel at home while transitioning to a longer day.
Starting in the 2007, students in first and second grade in Berlin share a classroom. Students spend one, two or three years in this first phase of schooling depending on their educational needs and development. The exploratory learning hall gives students a space to learn both independently and collaboratively. The story The Spy with the Shimmering Cloak was used as a storyboard of stations and activities in the space. Students can now track the spy through the spacious hallway while learning about reflections, the color spectrum, light conductors and sound.
The space has a sensitive listening wall where students can listen to music and stories. “When a child sits or leans on one of the keys, a song or audio book is played,” said a member of the Baupiloten team. The hall’s benches and nooks provide quiet spaces where students can read and relax on their own. At the “Spy Wall” and the “Spy Cell” students can climb, hide and experiment with mirrors and magnifying glasses.
One area of the hall, called the “Wall of Disguises,” is adorned with small, specially layered plexiglass panels that can be turned to reflect colored light in different ways. Students can manipulate the panels to invent codes and leave messages for each other or the spy.
This small space offers something new for every type of learner and displays the wonder and creativity that flows when children have a voice in the design process.
Adapted from the Baupiloten’s Carl-Bolle Press Release.
More information available at the Baupiloten website.
Good Job!!
Nice articles!
It was very informative. The article is clear and crisp with some amazing notes on the school.
Keep Posting!!!