Interesting project created by the Office of Mobile Design based on the concept of creating a truly mobile classroom that would also create some wonder in the process. Constructed back in 1998, it seems to offer provocation in an age that still relies on alternative learning environments.

The mobile ECO LAB was built in collaboration with the Hollywood Beautification Team, a grassroots group founded with the mission to restore beauty and integrity to the Hollywood community. Verbal and visual exchanges took place using computer animated drawings, traditional architectural drafting, and large scale modeling techniques. Full-scale work was performed with a defined material palette (specifically that of a donated cargo trailer and cast-offs from film sets). The 8 x 35 foot trailer now travels throughout Los Angeles County to inform K-12 school-aged children about the importance of saving and protecting our planet.

As a working mobile classroom, the ECO LAB provides a base for a range of exhibitions all of which focus on ecology. A multimedia program explaining the “life of a tree” creates a path for discovery that weaves in and out of the expandable ECO LAB. A working art studio, local artists collaborate with the children to create facade-sized murals replacing graffiti at inner-city schools. School teachers use stage-like platforms to discuss each child’s role in the importance of planting trees and maintaining a sustainable environment.

Like a circus tent, this mobile icon arrives at the schoolyard where elevated walkways fold down and slide out of the trailer’s body. It is immediately recognizable as a place for interaction, discovery and fun.

Curious if the legal requirement for taking ‘virtual classes’ to graduate from high school will have an impact on the design and use of school facilities over time.

From the good folks at Edutopia, comes this link:

Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm has signed a law that will require online courses for high school graduation. Michigan will be the first state to implement this type of requirement. (Free registration may be required.)

Thanks to Kirsten at ArchNewsNow for the link.

While many of our ongoing discussions revolve around the design of schools, it is fair to be reminded of the very ‘design education’ that will help foster the future school designers amongst us. This particular story out of Detroit, Michigan caught our attention as of late. The last line in the following excerpt is of particular interest.

Inside the architecture building on the campus of the University of Detroit Mercy, nine students have spent nearly every waking hour for the last six weeks drawing, redrawing, designing, redesigning, constructing and reconstructing — all to create a symbol of hope in the city.

The plans are finally complete. The final piece is to find a buyer who will support their cause: Building a house in Detroit’s Woodbridge neighborhood using materials salvaged from a historic, 6,000-square-foot house in Highland Park, Ill.

“Being a student and designing something that is going to be built is really exciting,” said Shannon Sommer, 21, a third-year architecture student from Wisconsin. “This opportunity doesn’t happen. Usually architecture students design something, but they never get to see the final product.”

To that end, how does our industry of school design teams help facilitate the beginning-to-end experience for design students? And what is the cost of not doing this, esp. as we look towards the future of 21st century learning environments?

Thanks to Brett at DeHavilland Associates (focused on business/education partnerships and outreach programs), this link to the “2006 Construction Report” from College Planning & Management.

College construction hit an all-time one year high in 2005 of $14.5 billion, with $9.8 billion spent on new buildings. No small sum!

With construction dollars expecting to rise (as they have for the last 10 consecutive years) well into the future, the question comes down to whether or not we can expect to get the same quality/quantity for our dollars.

Worth reading the report.