Human Scale in Architecture of Schools Located in Dense Urban Fabric

Abstract

Designing new schools located in high density cities usually need to face complex, and sometimes contradicting requirements. With problems finding proper building lot in already built environment to begin with, and much higher cost of land comparing to the suburbs, in many cases it is a huge challenge for architects to balance the needs of users against feasibility of the project. Dense urban fabric is usually associated with high population density and overcrowded school districts and classrooms. On the other hand there are existing neighborhoods with its unique residential atmosphere, which should determine the scale of new public buildings located there. Therefore the planning and design of new schools should be performed with great attention to the requirements and needs of users, but with respect to already existing environment. Well-designed schools can influence children in a positive way. Architecture of schools plays significant role in child development, therefore its human scale should be one of its most important factors. This paper presents some of the latest school projects completed in New York as representation of educational facilities located in dense urban fabric. Author shows results of the analysis of scale of given examples in relations with the adjacent space. The subject of Author’s research is based on his active participation in the design and implementation of schools in New York.