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“….home-schooling a 6-year old & an 8-year old for 1 hour and 11 minutes. Teachers deserve to make a billion dollars a year. Or WEEK!”
Tweet by @SHONDA RHIMES (US TV Producer behind multi-million dollar shows such as Grey’s Anatomy & Scandal)
The frontline staff who most likely chose their vocation for the wonders of working with children and guiding their progress. Suddenly, school life as we knew it is on hold. Teachers, parents and children have had to rethink how learning takes place. And what an incredible job our teachers are doing.
Some solace might be taken from the fact that this pandemic has been unfolding against a reassuring backdrop: The beauty and security of Mother Nature’s advancing Spring. Despite the trauma and tragedy in our human world, maybe we can take comfort in the steady security of our wonderful planet. For many, there is now a re-attuning with the ancient ebb and flow of nature.
When we begin #Post-Covid life, we will all have choices to make about the way we interact with each other and must consider the impact this has on the natural world. As school leaders and decision makers re-focus on the ever-present SIPs, testing, targets and other glories of the Education system, let’s hope we will all make a commitment to become more in tune with and considerate of #Mother Nature.
For Schools needing new learning spaces and wishing to invest, not only in the future of their pupils but on lowering the environmental impact of new buildings on the planet, it’s worth mirroring your teaching styles with Eco-Friendly Classrooms. These inspirational modular buildings are made from sustainable, UK-grown wood. Just one incredible way to align with the natural and ancient rhythms of the world to which children are innately drawn.
Sue Edwards, Former Magic-Weaver turned Eco-Warrior!
Imagine this…… A hugely sensitive site FOR A LITTLE MODULAR ECO-BUILDING sitting within a conservation area of a National Park. Behind it is an impressive view of a 500m high rocky outcrop (Combs Edge) and sitting directly beside the building is a magnificent 100yr old Oak tree.
This is not the appropriate time to be digging out trenches & pouring concrete.
Traditionally, many builders would baulk at the idea of anything but concrete for foundations but sustainability (in our opinion) simply must take precedent. Thankfully, the construction industry is making massive headway when it comes to clever innovative solutions to remedy much of the negative impact traditional building entails.
We’ve written about Groundscrews before. These are our current favorite. They elevate the modular eco-school-building up above ground on pinhole foundations allowing the air to flow underneath and (most importantly) they ensure that damage to tree roots is minimised.
The Planning officers seem to like them too, for they are simple to install and remove and ensure that there is no disturbance to the topsoil.
An installation takes approximately 3 hours and they can be removed just as quickly. Of course, all buildings for commercial use require full Buildings Regulation compliance and the company who installs these provides full Ground Test Reports and these footings are fully Buildings Regulation Compliant.
If you have a requirement for an additional building but you too are in an ecologically sensitive site and require something low-impact, environmentally sensitive and utterly iconic you might find the Rotunda Roundhouse classroom building would suit your school. Please do contact us if you’d like to discuss any element of the Rotunda eco-building.
The term “modular buildings for schools“, usually evokes an image of an old recangular box, languishing in the corner of a school playing field!
Fortunately, and not before time, the world is fast moving in a completely new direction. Thanks to the emergence of modern day construction techniques, innovative manufacturers are creating highly bespoke off-site solutions for schools which are developed to create a sense of wonder and a space which truly inspires both the children and the teaching staff.
We’d like to think of ourselves as the industry disruptors. Here to shake things up a little in the modular buildings industry. For a box is a man-made construct and not a product of the natural world.
Most parents, teachers and caregivers are aware that the first six years of a childs life are the most important. For, these six years set the very foundation for the rest of their life and their understanding of our world.
Then, wouldn’t we all, I wonder… like to inspire our children and connect them to natural form, dictated by the world around us?
Truth be told, we don’t really know the true implications of the effect that unnatural form has on the subconcious brain of a pre-schooler or infant. I for one would like to hazard a guess though, that putting people in boxes from the moment they embark into early-years education to the moment they reach end of life, is not an ideal situation. For it could be one of the very reasons we, as a civilisation is struggling with a very alarming disconnection from the natural world.
If you’re looking for a Modular building for your school please don’t hesitate to drop us a line for your non-obligation site survey, where we can discuss your project in detail and design you a free project floor-plan and 3D digital model!
For more information on our modular school buildings please do see other relevant pages on our website:
Are you looking to create a new-build, home extension or bespoke modular building in your garden or on your land?
When it comes to commissioning your bespoke project there is nothing more exciting than designing your dream space, to the very last detail. A ‘Grand Designs’ Dream in reality, you can be your own architect, designer and envision your space…. With the help and guidance of the right professionals of course! But therein lies a plethora of hidden costs and regulatory hoops which you are required to acknowledge.
Hopefully this blog will break down some of the core costs associated with a self-build modular building project and highlight the best direction to take as you embark on your journey.
Garden buildings come in one of two forms:
The first option may suit you if:
The second option is more suited to you if:
What are the cost implications for bespoke modular buildings?
Briefing requirements will vary from project to project depending on scale and specific design requirements.
We take time to understand your specific needs, your property wish-list, material requirements and building orientation. We work with our customers to design, build and manage the project from start to completion, to your style and budget.
The steps required to embark on your bespoke modular building:
We offer an initial FREE consultation at our Design Studio & Rotunda HQ or site survey at your property, where we take a brief from you and spend time to understand your project, needs, budget and timeline. (If you are unable to make it into our facility, we can meet via Skype)
FREE £
PRELIMINARY DESIGN WORK
An Architect or Designer undertakes a more in-depth analysis of your basic design concepts and converts these into:
3D SCALE DRAWINGS £300.00 ex VAT
2. AutoCAD plans and Elevations
Architects Drawings For Planning Application Purposes
It excludes:
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT & APPROVALS
We can provide you with all of the architects drawings for local authority Buildings Control applications, and we can assist you with processing of approval documentation in collaboration with local councils and statutory bodies.
We fully specify and provide a fixed cost for the build and delivery, and packages, if any have been selected.
BUILDINGS CONTROL DRAWINGS ONLY CIRCA £650.00 – £750.00 (DEPENDENT ON COMPLEXITY)
To include Application Management & Buildings Control Liaison through to approval <£2,400.00
CONSTRUCTION & DELIVERY
Following Design, Contract, Approvals and Costing stages we start off-site manufacture and on-site preparation works, including (if specified) foundations in readiness for delivery.
We then arrange access, delivery and placement of your bespoke modular building and liaise with you to organise the connection to services and final completion.
If you have selected any bolt-on packages like kitchens and bathrooms these are also delivered and completed as part of the final on-site stages.
EXAMPLE PAYMENT SCHEDULE
To use the example above, excluding third party / Local Authority fees and Planning consultants fees you may need to budget between £5,000.00 – £7,500.00 to design your Bespoke Modular Building.
Professional services fees are not applicable on ‘off the peg’ buildings as manufacturers have already soaked these costs into their R&D for the product when it was initially designed.
The fees we’ve cited are applicable to our pricing structure only and you may find that other contractors fees may vary from ours. It could be more economical to enlist the services of a local architect to design your dream bespoke modular building with you and take you through the planning process independently. We can then manufacture to your design once you have undertaken the design work and are satisfied that your concept is feasible and meets regulatory approval.
The Rotunda was designed first and foremost as a building which would connect us. Both to nature, and to eachother.
The British Celts lived in roundhouses. We know from reading recent archeology studies that the number of excavated roundhouses in Britain must be rapidly approaching 4,000. The prehistoric roundhouses remained a strong and sophisticated design, one very well-suited to a temperate climate and they were continued to be built throughout the Roman period, particularly in the north and west of Britain.
Our present day built-society exists more often than not, encapsulated in rectilinear walls. There is absolutely no argument about the fact that sitting people in a circle, at whatever age, and for whatever purpose is beneficial. We see this reflected in all areas of our society. Whenever we see the term “circle” associated with a natural or human event or activity it usually represents a level of healing/enjoyment/connection or natural cycle.
The list goes on….
Try as you might, it’s impossible to put the word “Circle” into a negative term.
“Circle of … ” Nope. It doesn’t work.
However, if you think about the phrases related to square you might find that they are less than positive.
There’s more to it than just emphasising on the language of the circle and using this to validate our theory on it making sense from a human experience perspective.
The Rotunda was born as a British designed Log Cabin style building with all of the aesthetic appeal of the scandinavian cabins with their low-hanging eaves and heavy timber roof trusses. Crafted from natural materials and designed to sit well in a forest or rural environment. But the ‘circle thing’ is just so overwhelmingly obvious to us (as a primary shape for buildings that is, from every perspective). Given that this style of seating and ‘people-arrangement’ also connects us together leads us to believe that the unique style of eco-building which you find on our site is the harmonious connection between the two ideaologies.
Square cabin in the woods – perfect in every way, with the exception of it’s shape.
Rotunda – perfection in it’s very nature. The perfect circle. The connecting hub for children and adults alike and the natural form to sit harmoniously amongst trees.
If you have any information relating to the benefits you’ve encountered due to sitting in the round or spending time in the round please don’t hesitate to get in touch we’d love to hear from you.
Until next time,
From all at Rotunda x
Well designed classrooms boost the academic performance of primary school children, a Researchers from Salford University suggest. One study investigated the layout, construction and decoration of classes and concluded that classroom design had a significant impact on reading, writing and maths. Natural light, temperature, air quality and individualised classroom design were especially important.
The report’s author, Prof Peter Barrett, said there were three main factors involved in good design:
Of these, the last was the most significant, with air quality, light and temperature playing vital roles and together accounting for half the total impact, he said.
“Humans are essentially animals, and their brains respond well to good natural conditions,” Prof Barrett said. Link to the full article here
Researchers, psychologists and sociologists have been studying the effect of seating arrangements and classroom configuration to gauge the effects on learning and communication and we’ve discovered an unequivocal link between the circular form and positive pupil behaviour. Of course, it’s logical to us and most probably to you too, but don’t take our word for it, please contact us if you’d like a PDF Copy of any of the below research papers:
For those of us who are passionate about natural design principles and architecturally designed eco-buildings for schools; there is tangible value in structures which promote outdoor learning and educational play and help re-connect pupils with nature.
The Rotunda Roundhouse is one of the most forward thinking structures available in the Modular Building sector, the double glazed rooflight dome maximising natural light, the floorplan encourages connection and communication and the building itself providing access to the outdoors and views of the surrounding landscape.
The Rotunda modular building is built in segments and your school buildings can be adapted and extended retrospectively. We routinely fit these buildings with Sedum Roofs, Air source heat pumps, Combi Gas boilers (LPG), Underfloor and skirting board heating systems. The Rotunda costs little as £1200 per square metre which is well below what some of the more rectilinear counterparts in this industry would charge for the privelege of their brand and this alone.
Our Architect works alongside us to ensure that your Rotunda as an eco-classroom, nursery building or multi-functional space is designed to the highest specification with integrated efficient heating and lighting. Our design team have years of experience and will design a stimulating environment that can be used for learning alongside recreational and social activities. We provide you with a non-obligation site survey to establish your wish-list and then create a building that fits into your space and budget.
Every project starts with a FREE site visit and survey so we can understand your detailed requirements to deliver the best quality solution for you. We offer a complete turnkey solution including;
We understand that financial restrictions can prevent schools and nurseries from investing in an eco-classroom development, so we always try to help direct you to the best funding options available.
As a school, you will not be able to engage into hire purchase or lease purchase arrangements. Schools are however, permitted to enter into rental agreements which satisfy the stipulated criteria. We may be able to provide this for you. Please do call us for further information.
We have recently undertaken an extensive change in our business operations to enable us to offer you the opportunity to rent commercial units rather than the usual direct purchase.
This scheme is for Rural enterprises such as B&B’s, wildlife parks, glamping sites, animal and adventure farm parks and outdoor leisure sites or retreats.
The Rotunda, style as above 5.5m – with En-suite Bathroom – a canopy – roof – kitchenette (bolt-on accessory) – installed in as few as 5 days. Design and configuraion of the wall, window and door panels can be adapted to suit you. Internal and External finishes and full contemporary bathroom suite are designed by Rotunda Roundhouses to guarantee quality and as such are not bespoke in their nature.
The Benefits of Renting a Rotunda
Immediate access to one of the most exclusive buildings available in your sector: Renting the unit is an efficient way for you to get started immediately. Once you’re set up and the business is making suitable profits, you may then have the opportunity to own the asset after the rental period.
Providing your business with the best chance for success: Given that the Rotunda is one of the most exclusive lodges available in the UK, (with a higher ticket price than most other glamping structures) you can position yourself at a higher level than you might otherwise be able to afford.
No need to compromise: Unfortunately, most sites need to either borrow a substantial amount from the bank or accept a lower-quality product which might not generate the best yields.
Enhances your Business Model: The Rotunda is a ‘HIGH-YEILD’ & ‘LOW VOLUME’ ASSET. In other words, it works hard for you, so you don’t have to.
You only need a low volume of these units to generate an exceptional return. It’s the holy-grail for a rural retreat or leisure site.
If you want to nurture your business to create the right opportunity for success, you need to invest in equipment which can generate the highest level of revenue. A better quality building can simultaneously reduce the risk of having any dissatisfied guests, excessive maintenance issues or loss of revenue in the winter months.
En-suite bathrooms and innovative design increases your chances of securing a high occupancy rate (if you’re seeking to reach upwards of 80%, this is the building for you) with guests happy to pay a higher rate than you might otherwise achieve.
WOW factor, without the price-tag: Given the unique design of the Rotunda, you are setting yourself apart from your competition. It’s no secret that the sites which go the extra mile that are really reaping the rewards of strong returns on their investment. Couple this building with attractive features such as a hot-tub and a log burning stove and you’re headed for the stars.
Keeps your budget under control: Fixed monthly or weekly payments can help you manage your cash flow.
Enables you to scale up quickly: The capital required to rent is a fraction of the amount compared to buying your buildings outright. This enables you to either secure multiple units from day one or frees up your resources to invest in the other areas of your business to drive growth. That’s a sure way to scale up your operation far faster than you would otherwise have imagined possible.
Easy maintenance: We will pay for repairs to Building. In this way, the item also holds its value better than if you bought it outright.
Frees up other finance options Since it’s a rental scheme, it’s not like a traditional business loan. So, it shouldn’t restrict your ability to invest your capital elswhere or borrow finance for other items of business equipment.
Easy to upgrade Some businesses choose to return their Rotunda at the end of the rental agreement. Others may choose to purchase it outright at the end of the period, or refurbish it and enter into a new rental agreement.
Tax efficient: You don’t own the title of the asset, and therefore it won’t go on your balance sheet. This can be tax efficient, the rental payments are 100% tax deductible.
We are absolutely thrilled to be able to assist you on your journey to become the business you deseve to be. Let us share the journey with you. Call us if you’d like us to talk you through the scheme in greater detail and explain what it might mean for you and your future business operations.
Enjoy the sunshine!
Local Councillors mark the official opening of a new eco-building at Richard Bonington Primary School in Nottingham.
On Tuesday the 20th of March Councillor Sandra Barnes and Councillor Peter Barnes were present at the official opening of the new outdoor classroom; the Rotunda Roundhouse eco-building at Richard Bonington School in Arnold.
Sandra cut the red ribbon and gave a heartening and memorable speech to the children and parents to celebrate the official opening of the “The Bonington Burrow”, a new woodland classroom which is nestled into their outdoor forest area. This scheme forms part of a new outdoor learning initiative for nursery children attending forest school sessions. Forest School provision started at Richard Bonington back in 2006 and now the site is well established with many different habitats for the children to explore.
Research shows that this type of experience is effective in helping children develop a love of learning, whilst helping them develop physically and socially. This rotunda is the central hub of their forest school, providing a nucleus; a warm and cozy eco-building to retreat into for a hot chocolate and a story when the weather turns a bit….. well, British.
Mrs Suzanne Campbell (Foundation Coordinator) said “we are thrilled that the school can offer such a rich and positive learning experience to our youngest pupils through Forest School. The School management team and Governors recognise what an important investment the building is to enable us to provide 30 hours of education for our 3-4 year olds, which also benefits working parents. Staff and children absolutely love the new learning environment.”
Whilst all children at Richard Bonington have an opportunity to take part in forest school sessions, the additional nursery sessions are a bespoke provision that provides an outdoor learning experience, in most weather conditions, for nursery children.
This opening followed on from an official visit by their local MP For Gedling, Vernon Coaker, also celebrating the successful launch of this inspiring initiative. Vernon Coaker said “ I visited the Richard Bonington Primary School & their successful childcare provision for 3 – 4 year olds, the Forest School gives these children an opportunity to learn in the outdoors. They have a brand new building called the Bonington Burrow – a great place to learn. ‘It was great to see so many happy children, a fantastic facility and a credit to the school and staff involved “
Gemma Roe, the founder of Rotunda Roundhouses Ltd said “We really enjoyed creating this special space for the Richard Bonington School in Arnold. It’s a safe, warm and inclusive environment for the nursery children, built entirely out of British Timber with a wildflower meadow roof for biodiversity. We’re proud to be working with local primary schools and nurseries to create such unique and inspiring outdoor learning spaces.”
Do you know your softwood from your hardwood? Here’s a small wood fact for you:
“Softwood is wood from trees such as conifers. Opposed to hardwood, which is the wood from trees which have broad leaves that usually change color and die every autumn. Softwoods are not always softer than hardwoods. Both groups include a variety of wood types that vary in actual hardness. (Balsa is a hardwood but is softer than most softwoods).
Softwood makes up about 80% of the world’s production of timber. (Which, can only be a good thing, considering the highly endangered tropical sort are usually Hardwoods!).
We use softwood to create about 90% of the Rotunda building. Graded Structural beams of Redwood (pine) form the structrual timbers in the wall cavity, “Douglas Fir” is usually selected for the windows and doors (Douglas Fir is a softwood but is much harder than many hardwoods) and the cladding is most usually a UK Grown Larch.
Known for it’s durability, it’s beautiful, (almost red-orange) honey-hued finish when it’s freshly sawn and it’s playful and rustic waney (bark) edge; it’s known historically as the timber the Scots used for boat-building as it’s got such a high resin content.
We specify this timber for our cladding to ensure these little eco-buildings are not only weather-protected but blend in to a rural or forest environment as if it’s just grown straight up from the forest floor…
Recently, we’ve been commissioned to install Cedar Cladding on several of our buildings; this stemmed from a personal preference of our clients but has given the Rotunda a sleek, new coat.
Perhaps, like an otter. The sea otter, known for it’s rugged, fluffy and arctic-hardy fur looks remarkably different to the smooth asian short clawed otter, clambering out of the pool after a swim.
What’s the difference in performance? Very little.
We’ve found the lifespan to be more or less identical. The properties of both timbers are excellent. Both have greater resistance to rot and decay than other timbers, due to high resin content and tannins which contain anti-bactericidal and anti-parasitic properties. The antiseptic ingredients protect against fungus, mould and insect infestation… and they are just, decent, hard wearing timbers which look brilliant and do their job perfectly well.
So, which is best for you? Well, if you want fewer knots, a denser grain and more clean lines, we’d reccommend the T&G kiln dried Cedar yurt cladding.
Irrespective of a species initial colouration, all species will have weathered to a near-matching silver-grey appearance after around 5 years.
This is worth bearing in mind, if you’re hoping for your Rotunda to retain that new reddy-orange colourful “just new” look after a few years. It will most likely look like this!
It is possible to treat your timber cladding with a UV protection spray to maintain the same golden & red hues if you are keen to keep the original look in place for some time to come.
We are pretty passionate about timber, trees and of course the magically memorable buildings one can create from such a renewable and beautiful resource. If you have any questions or ideas for a new cladding style please feel free to drop us a line, we’re all ears!
Until next time…
Rotunda x
“When the great architect Philip Johnson first visited the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, designed by Frank Gehry, he started to cry. “Architecture is not about words. It’s about tears,” Johnson reportedly said. Something about the museum’s majestic curves moved him at an emotional level. Many others must get a similar feeling, because the building is usually ranked among the most important in modern times.
Whether or not Johnson and Gehry realized it, the Bilbao and its swirling façade tapped into a primal human emotional network. Time and again, when people are asked to choose between an object that’s linear and one that’s curved, they prefer the latter. That goes for watches with circular faces, letters rendered in a curly font, couches with smooth cushions–even dental floss with round packaging.
Recently neuroscientists have shown that this affection for curves isn’t just a matter of personal taste; it’s hard-wired into the brain. Working in tandem with designers in Europe, a research team led by psychologist Oshin Vartanian of the University of Toronto at Scarborough compiled 200 images of interior architecture. Some of the rooms had a round style like this:
Others had a rectilinear form, like this:
Vartanian and collaborators slid people into a brain imaging machine, showed them these pictures, and asked them to label each room as “beautiful” or “not beautiful.” In a study published earlier this year, they reported that test participants were far more likely to consider a room beautiful when it was flush with curves rather than full of straight lines. Oblong couches, oval rugs, looping floor patterns–these features got our aesthetic engines going.
It’s worth noting this isn’t a men-love-curves thing; twice as many women as men took part in the study. Roundness seems to be a universal human pleasure.
Beauty ratings were just the first step in the study. The researchers also captured the brain activity that occurred when the study participants in the imaging machine considered the pictures. Turns out people looking at curved design had significantly more activity in a brain area called the anterior cingulate cortex, compared to people who were looking at linear decorations. The ACC has many cognitive functions, but one is especially noteworthy in the context of Vartanian’s study: its involvement in emotion.
So curved design uses our brains to tug at our hearts. Some of us cry outside great buildings as a result. Some of us reach for another brand of dental floss. Some of us, beyond all rational judgment, type in Comic Sans font. “Our preference for curves can not be explained entirely in terms of a ‘cold’ cognitive assessment of the qualities of curved objects,” Vartanian tells Co.Design. “Curvature appears to affect our feelings, which in turn could drive our preference.”
The Bilbao-sized question is why exactly curves give us a visceral pleasure. Some neuroscientists believe the answer may have adaptive roots.
Another brain imaging study, conducted several years ago by Moshe Bar of Harvard Medical School, found that viewing objects with sharp elements–once again, square watches, pointy couches, and the like–activated the amygdala. That’s the part of the brain that processes fear. Bar and collaborator Maital Neta proposed that since sharp objects have long signaled physical danger, human brains now associate sharp lines with a threat. Curves, meanwhile, may be seen as harmless by comparison.
“In other words,” says Vartanian, “we prefer curves because they signal lack of threat, i.e. safety.”
There’s a nice clarity to that explanation, but it certainly has some limitations. The most basic of these is that some sharp lines feel warm and welcoming (see: the New York City skyline, or Ikea furniture) and some curves are plenty scary (see: a rattlesnake, or Nicki Minaj). Not every straight-versus-curve contest is as clear as knife versus spoon. Culture, context, and familiarity can all influence our perception of contour.
It’s also critical to point out that just because people have a natural neural affinity for curves doesn’t mean round design is always superior. If researchers asked people to rate architecture based on functionality instead of beauty, for instance, they might get different results. (In fact, Vartanian says he’s studying that question next.) The Bilbao in all its sinuous glory may bring tears to the eye, but it probably took a very rectangular truck to bring construction material to the Bilbao.”
Is Planning Permission required for Temporary Buildings? Do you need planning permission for a temporary building? Some of our clients have raised this question over several years, believing that temporary structures don’t need planning but unfortunately regulations stipulate that any building (regardless of it’s construction style) has to have planning approval if it’s in situ over a 28-day period. Full stop.
If one fails to apply for planning permission and this is highlighted by a disgruntled neighbour an enforcement order could be set in place by the local authority to remove or re-locate the building immediately (always possible with a modular structure thankfully!). In most instances, it’s usually possible to apply for restrospective planning permission but that’s a much more stressful approach than tackling it head-on in the first instance!
Who is responsible for making the planning application?
The landowner is ultimately responsible for ensuring that planning permission is sought for the building they are purchasing. Some of our clients prefer to enlist the services of a planning consultant or architect whilst others prefer for us to organise this for them. Each and every planning application is different and local policy will vary dependent on the authority you’re dealing with and whether you happen to be in a Conservation Area, Listed Property, AONB etc. It may also be that you bypass your Local Authority and apply directly to a National Park if you’re in one, for National park authorities and the Broads Authority are also planning authorities.
How would we know whether we’re likely to get planning permission?
You can always apply for pre-application advice prior to submitting your full application. It is often a good idea to meet a planning officer for an informal discussion before you submit an application. Some local authorities charge for this service so it’s worth checking first.
If you can, take some time to consider the below points prior to drawing up your application:
- Could there be a negative or positive impact on neighbouring properties and the wider community?
- What is the size, layout, external appearance and height of the building?
- What is the availability of infrastructure such as roads and water supply?
- Is there any impact on parking and traffic? Would the Highways Authority have any reason to object?
- Are your plans in alignment with the local development strategy?
Ultimately the planning officer will be looking to minimise impact of the building or structure on the surrounding area. There are heritage and conservation issues to consider, and your Local Authority will have their own policy to follow and they’ll be checking to ensure that any application for development falls within their local policy framework.
How much does it cost to get planning permission?
If you’re using a professional to carry out this service for you, you’ll have to first pay their fees for the generation of the mandatory drawings (elevations, plans, location and block plans) which can be anything from £500.00 to £700.00. In addition, you’ll have the costs towards the paperwork & submission of the application which may be double that again. (So, it’s worth allocating +£1,000.00 for your agent and more if you need the services of a specialist consultant or supplementary reports such as ecology reports).
On submission to the Local Authority, there are fees due on the application itself which you may then either pay directly (or paid on your behalf by your agent or modular buildings supplier). This is usually calculated from the floor area of the proposed building. The fee calculator can be used as a standalone tool, but it is also a step in the online planning permission application process. You can also download a guide to the fees for planning applications in England.
Will the buildings lifespan on-site affect the outcome of our application?
A smaller lease period could make a difference to the planning perspective, but if it’s a conservation area or National Park there may be other factors which hold more weight than it’s temporary nature. It’s best to be specific about the purpose of a building from the outset and be as clear as possible about the timeframe. If you end up receiving a 5 year approval but you then need the building for a longer period, you can re-apply for planning permission at the end of the current term.
If I choose to undertake the application for planning permission myself?
You can submit your application online using the Government’s planning portal – www.planningportal.gov.uk. Here you can register your application, create a site location plan, attach supporting documents and pay for the application fee.
Plans for simple projects can be drawn up by an Architectural Technician or an architect. They will charge you dependent on the size and complexity of the building. See an example below:
Once you have instructed your architect or technician, and received drawings and site plans you may then submit it directly on the Planning portal.
Some of the more complex applications may require specialist reports ie: ecology, bat surveys, archeological, topographical, aboricultural etc. It’s worth bearing in mind that any new dwellings or holiday homes, irrespective of size, are most likely going to be subject to the CIL infastructure levy which is an additional fee (sometimes of several thousand pounds) payable to the Local Authority.
As always, feel free to pick up the phone and call us should you have any questions relating to the requirement of planning permission on a site of yours and we’ll do our best to assist you!
Until then, enjoy the Autumn!
New analysis by the Local Government Association estimates that it will cost £12 billion to create sufficient places for the 900,000 extra pupils expected to start school in the next decade.
Combine this with the recent doubling of the 15 hours free childcare (up to 30) scheme set to roll out this September, a greater number of schools are also volunteering to take on nursery children thus pushing the requirement for more practical space and new or updated buildings…
According to Nursery World Magazine “Schools have turned to innovative solutions to cope with demands on space. They include a primary school in Northumberland that has bought and converted a double decker bus into classroom, after running out of space in the school building, with toilets and cupboards converted into teaching spaces.”
For those Schools who need something a little more substantial however, perhaps a new building or extension is in order?!
But alas! The traditional method of creating new or extending existing buildings (with bricks and mortar) is costly, time-consuming and… well.. messy.
Schools and nurseries are a hotbed of activity, filled with bright young things which don’t quite care for their school to be turned into a 12 month long building site.
Thankfully, for many of us, technology has allowed the construction industry to smarten up it’s act. Partly fueled by the wanton admiration of the Scandinavian folks and their “Vorsprung Durch Technik” approach to their buildings. Flat-pack is not limited to the stores of IKEA.. oh but building techniques of precision engineered laminated timbers are now pretty commonplace, and it’s easy to see why.
This new style of building is designed and constructed in a factory, not on a building site, and the components are engineered, not ‘built’.
Moving more into the realms of ‘manufacturing’ than ‘construction’, Modular or Outdoor buildings for schools are now created in small segments or ‘cassettes’ which come together to form the whole on site.
Exactly like IKEA.
What’s more, at roughly £1,000-1,2000.00 per m2, a modular or prefabricated educational building or classroom may be much more affordable than a portakabin or a traditional building.
Win-Win!
So if you, or a school you know is struggling with space, considerate of budget and is looking for a fast, efficient installation, please do let them know – the future is here. All you need to do, is design it.
(And call us, we’ll design it with you!!)
………..Have you been thinking about whether you should buy a yurt for your school or nursery?
Could this be the quick-fix solution you’ve been looking for for the additional space requirements for the 30 hours free childcare scheme?
…………STOP RIGHT THERE!
It’s a romantic idea alright, and if you DO buy a yurt, it’s certainly going to be cost-effective, eco-friendly and the children will love it….. providing it’s not winter (which, in the UK seems perpetual) and providing that you don’t need insulation, or electrics, or a washbasin…. needless to say this probably wouldn’t comply with any buildings regulations or codes of practice usually required for commercial establishments.
So really, let’s get to the bones of it.
It’s a tent.
Essentially made up of garden trellis, canvas and supporting lightweight roof poles with a pretty wooden crown at the top upon which rests a clear plastic sheet for a rooflight.
Wonderful for a night away with loved ones, sitting around a campfire and drinking wine, but, it’s suitability as a classroom or nursery environment is somewhat questionable.
A lightweight and temporary structure is of course easier to sneak under the radar of the local planners without giving too much consideration to seeking planning approval (though, I must warn you, planning approval must still be sought if you buy a yurt for a school or childcare business), and of course it’s assembled in a jiffy and can be a magical space for storytelling…. but it’s not a classroom for a school. Or if it is, it’s an ‘outdoor classroom’ and one which is seasonal.
With the average cost of a yurt coming in at around £10,000.00 plus the additional funds required to lay the groundworks/decking, source furniture and prepare the site you may be looking at around about £15,000.00 for the whole kit and caboodle.
Considering that a modular, timber-framed classroom building would cost you at least double that, you are indeed making a wonderful saving. But of course, these are the reasons it’s half the price of a timber school building:
- It can only really be used for part of the year, in the summer months – for it’s not insulated and the walls are…… canvas
- Heating options are limited – open flame is dangerous in a canvas structure, you may not have electricity for alternative options
- The canvas needs re-proofing, tightening and regular maintenance
- Mould and mildew has been known to creep up the walls
- There are no windows
- Condensation issues can arise
- God forbid you face gale force winds…. A yurt can be (at best), flappy and wobbly and (at worst), prone to flying away!
Now, I’m sure you know what’s coming but, indulge me for a moment and allow me to list a whole ream of benefits to be made by investing more into a permanent, timber-framed school building which is designed for the purpose you’re seeking. For really, there is no comparison.
Timber-framed, eco-friendly, Buildings Regulations compliant Roundhouses are….
- Insulated, Insulated, Insulated!! The walls are over 25cm thick.
- Finished internally with primed and painted internal wall linings, architraves, cover trims and high-spec detailing, behind which are damp-proof membranes & service cavity.
- Provided with large, Argon filled, low-e, toughened, double-glazed windows – from treated softwood to UPVC or powder coated aluminium, all windows are high-performance.
- Feature a gorgeous double glazed polycarbonate (or glass on request) 90cm diameter rooflight dome in the cathedral roof
- Include Full electrics, unlimited double-sockets, smoke detectors, GU10 LED lighting systems on a dual array with dimmer switches as standard
- Can be intergrated with ethernet ports, underfloor heating, interactive whiteboards, InfraRed heating panels, combi-boilers and bathroom/w/c, kitchen facilities
- Designed to have a lifespan which would probably exceed that of most of us reading this blog
- British designed, british built, utilising british timber and a nurturing yet practical building.
So, good luck with your expansion, and please, do still buy a yurt for your school, but make sure it’s a timber-framed one, a permanent one and a beautiful one.
Called, ‘Rotunda‘.
Enjoy this wet, windy weather!!
Are you designing a new Educational Space within a classroom or modular building?
Traditionally, classroom design has been rather uninspiring. The primary zone of an educational space is in the front of the classroom from where the majority of lessons are taught. Seating is usually arranged to maximize the amount of students occupying the action zone. Sometimes, a secondary zone might be created, using for instance, a second chalkboard or desk on the left or right hand side of the room. Lessons can then be taught from this area when needed….. *Sigh*
Listen. Just because this is what’s been traditionally done; it doesn’t mean that this is the optimum design for an educational space. Not from our perspective anyway! Where would the world be if we all followed straight lines and sat in neat little rows? How many species on this planet sit in lines when communicating to their young? Is this early years education or the military service?! Where will the free-thinkers and the radicals be if they can’t be encouraged to think outside of the box from a very early age?
So, let’s get our heads together, you and I, and let’s start thinking about clever classroom design and revolutionary educational spaces!
Environmental Preferences for Educational Spaces
How can you address environmental preferences in the classroom educational space?
Source: Health, Well-Being and Open Space, Literature Review by Nina Morris, OPENspace Research Centre, (2003).
Easily accessible materials and supplies can eliminate delays, disruptions, and confusion as students prepare for activities. In poorly arranged classrooms, students spend a lot of time waiting — waiting in line, waiting for help, waiting to begin. To eliminate some waiting, store frequently used items such as scissors and paste in several different areas.
Every building deprives a portion of the earth of sun, wind and rain and probably plant and animal life as well. It must redeem this sacrifice by the healing quality of its architecture.
-Rudolf Steiner A recent study from Salford University found that the construction and decoration of classrooms had a significant impact on reading, writing and maths. Professor Barrett who led the research told the BBC: “Individual classroom design played a much bigger role than whole-school factors, such as size, navigation routes, specialist facilities and play areas. In a primary school a child’s classroom is their world. So when you are designing a school, you have to make sure each and every classroom works.”
Of course, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that children thrive in a supported, inclusive and welcoming modular building or classroom environment and classrooms have been a hot topic for debate at the Rotunda HQ for many years now.
We repeatedly ask ourselves:
Why aren’t classrooms designed by mothers, child psychologists and teachers? Should this not be the primary focus for modular building manufacturers in the UK?
Do our children deserve to be placed in an unimaginative box (how does this affect their subconscious long-term?) and how can classrooms be designed to enhance learning and inclusivity?
Every species on this PLANET (Earth!) lives in a nest, den or burrow. None of these are square, neither are they rectangular. A birds nest is circular, this is the most efficient shape in nature. Why are we hell-bent on doing the opposite to every other living creature?
Why are modular classroom buildings for schools designed for functionality foremost but form and psychology aren’t adequately addressed? Is there an alternative?
Could the feeling of a space affect the childs’ capacity for learning?
How much does natural light play in the role of creating the optimum learning environment? Yes, we are biased. But we know our buildings; and we know how they light up faces of all who spend time using them.
We’ve seen the delighted faces of children as they rush in through the door and gaze up in awe at the clouds drifting past the double glazed roof light dome.
We’ve taken note of the comments from the healers, artists, musicians, teachers, nursery owners and rural hoteliers who’ve experienced the wonderfully intangible but indisputible magic of the ‘Rotunda’ for themselves and returned back to us with unassailable passion for the building which supports them in ways they never imagined could be possible.
We’ve spent almost a decade researching, communicating, designing, connecting to and living in the world of circular buildings and the further we delve into the innumerable benefits of these nurturing little buildings the more we fall in love with them. Aesthetically, holistically and of course, for the sheer practicality and engineering which goes into these beautifully crafted modular roundhouses.
If you’re interested in this subject and would like to delve a little deeper into how you can improve your classrooms, a copy of the research paper written by Salford university can be found here: http://www.salford.ac.uk/news/articles/2015/well-designed-classrooms-can-boost-learning-progress-in-primary-school-pupils-by-up-to-16-in-a-single-year,-research-reveals
And our website page dedicated to the subject of school classrooms is here: https://www.rotunda.co.uk/garden-room-sizes/buildings-for-schools/
Please do feel free to drop us a line if you fancy chatting with us on this topic; because although we know for certain that the Roundhouse is the *absolute* best modular environment available to schools for use as classrooms in the UK at the moment we are always looking for ideas and feedback as to how we could further improve this building to suit your School or nursery!
Until next time….!!!
From all at Rotunda x
There are many heroes working in the field of early years education but few are as worthy of a mention as Sarah Blackwell; the lead trainer and director of Forest Schools Education Ltd (FSE) which is a non-profit social enterprise, founded in 2001 as Archimedes Training Ltd. FSE has become the largest provider of Forest School training in the world, having supported over 11,500 practitioners throughout their Forest Schools journey to become Practitioners and changing thousands of lives in the process. Sarah is a published author and a contributor to magazines such as Nursery World, Small Woods and Horizons. Sarah also recently founded Middlewood nature nursery and the new Kenwood Nature nursery as two of her first nurseries in the Forest School Kindergarten project.
Those who are passionate about Forest Schools and Nature Nurseries may be familiar with her work. Her latest research investigates the Restorative benefits of Forest Schools on communication in children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders.
Forest Schools Education Ltd promotes it’s services with the vision to create the most highly trained, motivated and passionate facilitators all around the world.
“It is the joy and exuberance that becomes so noticeable when children are playing in nature, becoming co-inhabitants of the space and totally integrated with the cycles, interrelationships and magic. It is the awe and wonder that connects, surprises and gives children that sparkle in their eyes. Without this connection, life can be very different, and I believe all the poorer.“
Sarah Blackwell – Forest Schools Kindergarten
But what Happens At A Forest School? Well, according to FSE, Forest Schools are long term programmes within a natural space, lead by a qualified practitioner. They focus on developing personal, social and emotional life skills through learner led, nature-based learning. A Forest School develops by individuals in a setting becoming qualified Forest School Practitioners or drawing down funding to bring in an organisation that specialises in the delivery of Forest School programmes.
Initially, projects run from their own grounds/gardens/playing fields (where appropriate) allowing the children to become comfortable with an outdoor approach to education and play whilst in familiar surroundings.
Allowing relationships based around trust and self-exploration to develop with the Forest School Leaders who start to facilitate a more child led outdoor curriculum when the group are ready they familiarise themselves with the route to their nearest woodland.
The group then have their introductory sessions in the woodland exploring the site establishing physical and behavioural boundaries. Safety procedures, hygiene and routines.
It is fundamental that Children’s basic needs are met before any higher learning can take place (Maslow’s Pyramid of Hierarchical Needs).
Warmth – correct clothing provided
Food- Healthy Snacks and meals
Drink – Hydrating water /hot drinks
Safe – Individuals feel safe both physically and emotionally
Each Forest School site is unique; you design it to meet the needs of the group and to fit the environment you are working in, usually in negotiation with your woodland owner. Over at Rotunda Roundhouses, Sarah Blackwells name has arisen on several occasions as one of the key individuals working tirelessly to ensure that her Forest Schools program is being promoted as an integral and essential component of early years education nationwide. We sought her out to ask her what inspires and motivates her, and what vision she holds for the future of early years education in the UK.
It was clear from the outset of our interview that she’s a vibrant and passionate personality who cares very much about our education system and within the first few minutes she’d mentioned how from a young age, she was always on a mission to discover what her life path was, and wanted to be involved in something which would satisfy her soul. We then ventured further to discuss her role in the past as a teacher, working in Thornbridge, at the outdoor centre (in Sheffield) whilst she was raising four of her children but she felt that she was “teaching with her head rather than her heart”. She certainly found her heart with the Forest Schools training. And we can see why, it’s a beautiful concept.
So, we asked “What actually set you on your path to Forest Schools Educational training?”
“Well, during my time at Thornbridge, I started asking questions about what ‘environmental education’ was and someone suggested that I visit a Forest School. So I did… and I knew, when I saw it. I knew, instantly, that this is what I wanted to do with my life. So, I dropped everything. I handed in my notice in at work and focused exclusively on this. This was the turning point.”
Once I’d completed my training I ran my first long-term project. This is the first time that schools had the opportunity to run forest schools in the long-term. Everything prior to this was usually run for a morning/afternoon or just a week.”
We asked her what she’s been most proud of. “What I’m especially proud of, over the past 17 years” she said “is hearing the individual stories of the children. In some instances, Forest Schools has been their salvation, their safety net. We’ve helped them come through difficult times.”
So, do you think adults are affected by the childrens’ learning experience?
“Definitely. Everyone benefits. If you can imagine a rainbow, the child is in the centre of that rainbow as the fire and they are giving out the sparks of passion. This impacts then onto the family and onto education and then onto the community and then society and then onto the world. There will be certain children who will end up in a world market which are influencing society; influencing community, education and family. That will come back to the next generation of children. And this floods up and down.
This is where our business model is focused on impacting.
It’s not just forest schools; it’s about societal change, it’s about a change of heart, a change of being. Ultimately, a change in humanity.
One of the main things we say about Archimedes is we have a “transformational model” not a merely a “transactional model”
So, what is your vision for the future and what’s your ultimate dream?
“One indulgent dream of mine (!) is to have a forest kindergarten in every major city around the world. If not, one on every continent! I’m happy to start small, with each continent first!
We are, incidentally, launching our training program in America in March 2017 and in addition, potentially transforming a school in Maine to a forest kindergarten. Next, China. I can’t give you too much information but they are very proactive in their approach to Forest school so we have having a lot of interaction with Chinese contacts of ours.”
And where can we keep up to date with your developments?
Our website for the nature nurseries can be found here www.forestschools.com & www.getchildrenoutdoors.com
Thank you Sarah!! It’s been an inspiration to be able to feature you for our website. Keep in touch!!
Until next time… from all at Rotunda x
Forest Kindergarten: outdoor and woodland learning environments, otherwise known as outdoor nurseries , nature kindergarten , nature preschools or forest nurseries. Here at the Rotunda HQ we’re witnessing a wonderful outdoor learning movement weaving it’s way through our early years education system and this blog is about the rise of the “Forest Kindergarten”. Forest Kindergarten models a Forest School approach for the Early Years, and is based around child-centred learning through play.
Now, it’s apparently a Swedish philosophy; “Skogsmulle” (there is a wonderfully informative report on Swedish Forest Schools by Juliet Robinson available here).
Within this document it does state that the first Forest School in Sweden was founded in 1985 by Siew Linde but other sources also indicate that the first known “open-air nursery” in the UK was established in 1914, by the socialist political activists Rachel and Margaret McMillan (Rachel McMillan Open-Air Nursery School).
On researching this experiment, it would appear that they really were the absolute pioneers of Outdoor learning; with their primary objective being to improve child health.The McMillan Nursery School website cites that “Margaret developed very precise opinions about the best layout of the buildings so that ‘once inside the child comes under the influence of the great healers, earth, sun, air, sleep and joy.’ The gardens were very important, and, in her opinion, ‘the buildings should face south or south east, and in order to have this, the line of the rooms or shelters must be straight, the walls at either end shaped in butterfly form to catch all the sunshine possible.’ Roof lights and movable walls ensure that there is maximum light and access to the outdoors and fresh air all year round.”
If you’ve not yet read anything of Margaret McMillan, you certainly must; she’s an inspiration.
George Bernard Shaw said of Margaret “She was not only one of the best women of her time, but also one of the most cantankerous and she owed a great deal of her effectiveness to the latter useful quality”.
For many of us who see with passion and clarity on this subject it seems apparent that increasing urbanisation and an uneasy awareness of nature deficit disorder (a phrase used to describe the hypothesis that behavioural problems in human beings are attributed to people (especially children) spending less time outdoors) may be the recent catalyst for many contemporary changes in stance on outdoor education.
A distinctive feature of forest kindergartens is the emphasis on play with toys that are fashioned out of objects that can be found in nature, rather than commercial toys. Despite these differences, forest kindergartens are meant to fulfill the same basic purpose as other nurseries, namely, to care for, stimulate, and educate young children.
There is a beautiful example of an outstanding Forest Kindergarten (shown in the below video clip) of “The Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery ” which is based in a 25 acre woodland north of Letham village in Fife and opened its invisible doors in September 2008, receiving the Nancy Ovens Award for Play ‘Outstanding Contribution to Play’ and from Play Scotland ‘Best Practice in Action’.
A recent Scottish press article (below) about Kelvinside Academy Nursery’s recently-introduced Forest Kindergarten, cites:
“Tracy Nugent, head of Nursery, said: “There are so many benefits to allowing children to play freely in woodland. As well as increased physical activity, the outdoors is a great place to learn as the children witness nature first-hand and discover more independence through real-life experiences
Research has shown that concentration levels are improved for children who learn outside. In fairy tales, forests are often a scary place, think of the ‘big, bad wolf’ in Little Red Riding Hood. This allows us to show children what a diverse and beautiful place the forest is and encourages them to take an interest in the environment and biodiversity from a young age.”
As mentioned in our ‘eco-tourism’ blogs in the summer, the public psyche in the UK seems to be shifting focus from the mindless consumerism of the 1990’s to a more idealistic vision, of re-establishing our connection to nature. This would appear as if it’s reflected in the UK Leisure industry (Glamping anyone?!) to the rise of our organic and locally sourced foods, and, the changes to education. This is hugely exciting! We hope this is not just a phase but a trend, which (from our perspective) looks set to continue, to benefit us all, as a civilisation.
Well, cheers to that!
So, let’s toast the start of 2017 and to a brighter, fresher, more natural and grass-roots Early Years Education System.
Our next blog will be moving from Margaret McMillan to one of the most recent Forest Kindergarten pioneers, Sarah Blackwell, the Chairman of the Archimedes group of companies who’s been pioneering Forest Schools learning and training in the UK for the past 15 years…
Are you looking to install a new nursery school building or in the process of setting up a brand new Nursery or childcare business? If so, we’d love to hear from you; because we believe that together we can create the most enchanting buildings for your Key Stage 0 and Key Stage 1 (early years and infant) children. A refreshing change from the modular & relocatable steel framed rectangles commonly seen in your sector. (Fear not, we’re here to put an end to the drudgery and monotony, to revitalise this industry and bring you, and your gorgeous little toddlers the appropriate structures, to inspire and support you).
We know that sitting in a circle, encourages feelings of inclusion, autonomy and support. No-one is at the back. No-one in the corner. Every child is ‘in the middle’ and none are higher or lower than the others. You need not read the research studies (though we can provide you with several) to know that a childs emotional wellbeing is supported in an inclusive environment. Every headteacher we speak to, knows instinctively that gathering children in a circle or curved environment feels organic and natural. Because that’s the way it’s always been, and how it’s meant to be, since the dawn of time. Our civilisation has thrived when the conditions are right for optimum social dymanics.
For the first time, clear-evidence has been found that well-designed primary school classrooms can boost learning progress by 16% in reading, writing and maths. Clever classrooms | University of Salford, Manchester
Children aged 5 and under are little beings full of energy, imagination and creativity; we ask then, why is it that we think it’s OK to contain them in uninspiring steel boxes which serve to illustrate the linear nature of our society? How is this affecting their subconscious long-term, is the modular & rectilinear nature of contemporary school and nursery buildings compounding the disconnect from nature and could we design spaces which encourage them to express themselves freely and view the curves and circles as an integral part of our real world, Planet Earth? We should be embracing the organic curves of nature and cocooning them in natural timbers, clay paint finishes and open, creative, light-filled spaces!
Here at Rotunda, we are really proud to have developed a unique & new nursery school building that offers the best possible environment for learning.
In addition, statistics from WWF show that between 46 – 58 thousand square miles of forests are destroyed every year worldwide, resulting in significant environmental harm, the loss of natural habitat, and increases in the amount of species listed as endangered. This is exactly why we purchase timber from ethical UK suppliers and local British Sawmills. With this in mind, the Rotunda is the perfect space to encourage the discussion surrounding environmental issues and sustainability.
Safety and quality are essential when you are providing new nursery school building facilities for pre-school children. We design and supply new nursery school buildings to meet National Day Care standards.
So, let’s shape our buildings appropriately for the task in hand; let’s work together to transform our early years education industry, to nurture our children and inspire the future generations.
The UK is ready to break free from the box….join us!
Several of our clients have spoken to us about their eligibility and applications for LEADER grant funding to fund their Rotunda project. Leader Funding is available to local businesses, communities, farmers, foresters and land managers. You can apply to your Local Action Group for funding for projects that create jobs, help your business to grow, and benefit the rural economy, under the LEADER scheme. LEADER grants are delivered via LEADER LAGs and are available to local businesses, communities, farmers, foresters and land managers.
We’ve recently been engaging with several schools and nurseries about the astonishing benefits of changing the shape of classroom environments to enhance engagement with pupils and further improve school facilities. As a small and passionate team of eco-builders, we are absolutely convinced that there is no better shape to nurture, inspire, engage and support our youngsters than the round.
Of course, it goes without saying that there is nothing more organic and natural than a group of people settling down together in a circle. As hardened “Roundhouse Enthusiasts” we are always on the lookout for scientific research papers which validate our claims that the round is the most natural form of space for human emotional and physical wellbeing. It all starts in our mothers womb!
We have now discovered that some psychologists agree with us; and that a circular seating arrangement may encourage a greater sense of belonging within a group and improve the rates of interaction between people.
Where better to foster these principles than in the classroom?
Of course, the Roundhouse is the most ancient form of architecture known to man… and that blows our mind!
So, our research tells us that the effects on classroom seating arrangements can affect the question-asking behaviour of children. Judging by the dates and origins of these studies, this is clearly an international debate which has been a consideration for psychologists for several decades.
A German study carried out by the Department of Psychology Institute of Housing Research at Otto-von-GuerickeUniversity in 1998 (Marx, Furher and Hartig) stated that:
“Although educational systems are now under intense scrutiny, educators and educational critics tend to ignore two facts. First, classrooms are physical entities as well as organisational units. Second, the physical characteristics of a classroom setting can influence the behaviour of its users.
Awareness of these facts is needed, as efforts to create high quality educational experiences for our children must include consideration of the physical milieu.”
In summary, the study revealed a positive effect of a semicircle seating arrangement on children’s question-asking, and demonstrated an action-zone effect on question asking in the traditional row-and column arrangement. Seating in other than the row-and-column arrangement deserves further consideration as a means to promote children’s question-asking in primary schools.”
According to “Desk Arrangement Effects on Pupil Classroom Behaviour – Peter Rosenfield (Department of Education University of California, Berkeley 1985):
Desks arranged in circles during classroom discussion can facilitate interaction as well as control for off-task behavior of pupils. The results suggest that desk arrangement influences participation, thinking, and appropriate comments, which in turn can have a positive effect on learning.
Teachers who wish to facilitate pupil interaction during discussion sessions would be wise to consider arranging desks in circles. In this study, circles facilitated on-task response as well as on-task out-of-order comment, suggesting that more active participation of students for developmental learning is affected positively by circles rather than row seating.
And one of the most interesting was a Japanese study, Circular seating arrangements: Approaching the social crux in language classrooms (Joseph Falout Nihon University, Japan) claimed that “Abstract Circular seating arrangements can help instil a sense of belonging within classroom communities with overall positive effects on learning, emotions, and well-being.”
Joseph Falout states within his report “I began to understand how circular seating in any classroom context might not only be relevant for learning but crucial for well-being.”
“The circle itself has become a worldwide symbol of unity and strength and simply sitting in a circle promotes the same effect” (Pease & Pease, 2006, p. 339). Social interaction is encouraged by sociopetal spaces, such as a small circle of chairs around a coffee table. Sociopetal spaces can bring people together, excite their senses, endear each one to the others, create an atmosphere of mutual care, and stimulate the entire circle into a social action zone.”
………………………….Well, that’s enough evidence for us!
We’re thrilled and delighted to be building classrooms and modular buildings for UK schools and nurseries.
To be working with cutting edge building techniques on gorgeous buildings whilst actively improving the learning experience for children (and teachers!) around the country is a wonderful feeling; so we will be updating you with the feedback from our unique and uplifting learning environments as the positive feedback continues to roll in from our happy clients!
Until then, happy “Back to School” everyone – and enjoy the Autumn!
From all of us at Rotunda x
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