Boarding School Design


Boarding schools offer a unique educational experience, combining academic excellence with personal growth and community living. At TaskSpace, we understand the significance of boarding school design in shaping the lives of students. Let’s explore the essential elements and considerations that go into designing inspiring and functional boarding school environments.










Boarding House Design


Boarding school design originated in a different era with different priorities: privacy, comfort and wellbeing were definitely not the watchwords of the Victorian and Edwardian school pioneers of public and prep schools!

Designing and building those facilities today requires careful consideration of the pupil
experience, making boarding as comfortable as possible: we are not just talking compliance with the NMS for boarding here, but providing a truly home-from-home offering.

Purpose


Many existing boarding facilities are conversions of domestic accommodation, whilst others have been purpose-built; whilst the less well-informed have been predicting the demise of boarding, schools both senior and preparatory have been continuing to redevelop with a number building brand new facilities from scratch to be truly fit for the 21st century and beyond.

The goal with successful boarding school design, is to create a happy and inviting space for the pupils whilst also meeting the requirement of school, the parents, and the school staff. Comfortable surroundings help to give parents confidence and reassurance. From the staff perspective, managing the boarding experience and supervising pupils sensitively yet effectively is vitally important. Many of these issues are dependent on the age of the pupils; for example, boarding facilities for younger pupils often require additional thought given to decoration, or even themed rooms – (but beware gender stereotyping!)

Financial


Clearly a key constraint in any project is financial, but this must include an appreciation of the cost of not improving facilities, which can lead to falling demand. One crucial question is the extent to which the asset will be in use outside of school terms, for example for language schools or revision courses, and what is needed to make this viable. For example, if school staff are given permanent accommodation, then additional rooms with private ablution facilities will be required for visiting supervising staff.

Capacity


Connected with this is the most important question – the number of beds per room. Whilst they
hold a traditional appeal for a few, for most the era of large dormitories is well past. Equally, single rooms are seen as something of a luxury, or at least a privilege for the oldest pupils, in many schools.

Finding a balance should again consider additional holiday usage: one innovative solution is ‘pull-down’ bunk beds used only for this purpose. Then you must consider what additional space is needed in the rooms for study and social purposes and, of course, the all-important question of storage space.

Washrooms


Another fundamental consideration regards bathroom facilities. For those schools reconfiguring
existing spaces, the concept of en suite may be impossible, and for others the cost may be
prohibitive – and you have to remember that more bathrooms mean more cleaning hours! However, where possible, en suite facilities can provide greater levels of privacy and independence, and reduce night-time footfall around the house.

Usage


The nature, size and use of common areas has to be carefully considered: will pupils eat in house? Will that just be a continental breakfast, or are kitchen facilities for the pupils or for catering staff required? Are separate common room areas for pupils of different ages necessary, or do you want one cinema room, one games room and so on? Do you want pupils to have the facility to do their own laundry? For the encouragement of independence in older pupils, this is often considered to be valuable training to the extent that, in one school we have visited, the oldest pupils have washing machines in their bedrooms.

This is by no means an exhaustive analysis of the issues and considerations involved in developing new boarding facilities, and every school’s context will have unique characteristics, but it may be either a helpful starting point or a vehicle for further discussion of your existing plans.

Holistic Boarding School Design


Boarding schools provide students with an immersive educational experience, where they live, learn, and grow together. The design of boarding school facilities plays a pivotal role in shaping students’ experiences, fostering a sense of belonging, and supporting their overall development.

Summary: Key Elements of Boarding School Design


1. Comfort & Wellbeing: A nurturing environment is essential for students’ well-being. TaskSpace prioritises comfort by selecting quality bedding, furniture, and soothing colour schemes that create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

2. Privacy & Personal Space: Each student needs a personal space to unwind, study, and reflect. We design boarding houses that provide private areas for students, ensuring they have a place to call their own within the larger community.

3. Community Spaces: Promoting a sense of belonging and camaraderie is vital in a boarding school. TaskSpace designs communal spaces, including lounges, study areas, and common kitchens, that encourage interaction, collaboration, and the development of lifelong friendships.

4. Safety & Security: The safety of students is paramount. Our designs incorporate modern security systems, fire safety measures, and secure access controls to provide a safe and secure living environment.

5. Flexibility & Adaptability: Boarding schools evolve over time, and their facilities must be adaptable to changing needs. TaskSpace creates designs that allow for future modifications or expansions, ensuring that the boarding school remains a vibrant and relevant institution.

6. Sustainability & Eco-Friendly Design: Environmental sustainability is a growing concern. TaskSpace is committed to incorporating sustainable materials and energy-efficient technologies into our designs, helping boarding schools reduce their environmental footprint.

Tailoring Your Boarding School Design to Your Vision


Every boarding school is unique, with its own values, goals, and educational philosophy. TaskSpace works closely with schools to customise designs that align with their specific vision and mission. Whether you’re renovating an existing facility or planning a new boarding school, we ensure that the design reflects your institution’s existing identity.

A Collaborative Approach


Our success in boarding school design hinges on collaboration. We actively engage with school administrators, educators, and stakeholders throughout the design process. Your input and feedback are integral to creating boarding school environments that meet your expectations and the needs of your students.

TaskSpace is your trusted partner in elevating your boarding school design to new heights. We understand the transformative power of well-designed boarding school environments and are committed to creating spaces that inspire, nurture, and support the holistic development of students.

Contact TaskSpace today to discuss how we can transform your boarding school into a dynamic and inspiring place where students thrive academically, socially, and personally. Together, we can shape the future of education through innovative boarding school design.

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