'Urban Schools' Book wins AJ100 Collaboration of the Year

'Urban Schools' Book wins AJ100 Collaboration of the Year

Share this:

Our cities are facing challenges in how to accommodate an increasing population. More school places are needed than ever before but land is in short supply and funding can be limited. In response to this, Scott Brownrigg’s Director of Practice Helen Taylor and The Learning Crowd’s Senior Associate Sharon Wright united to co-author ‘Urban Schools: Designing for High Density’, published by RIBA Publishing in January 2020. This collective effort has now been awarded the AJ100 Collaboration of the Year award.

The AJ100 Survey and Awards is the definitive record of the UK’s largest architecture practices and recognises and rewards achievements made by these firms each year. The Collaboration of the Year Award is awarded to the most successful collaboration on a project or initiative over the past 12 months. In shortlisting projects, the AJ100 seek to identify projects that make significant strides or add value. Taylor and Wright’s ‘Urban Schools’ explores the design of schools in urban settings, and offers a vital insight into what the new typology of a city school might be.

Judges said “It is collaboration on a two levels; the culmination of a long standing relationship between an architect and a school strategy expert, and the curated corralling of a huge number of other leading voices within the field. An invaluable resource for educators, designers and policymakers.”

A series of experts including Bogle Architects, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Ty Goddard from Edtech, Catherine Burke, Professor of History of Education at the University of Cambridge were invited to contribute their views, supported by global case studies and historic examples. The publication is an invaluable resource for educators, designers and policy makers as they look for new ways to tackle the challenges ahead.

“Our intent is to share the successes and help the education design world learn the key lessons to enable them to deliver new solutions that meet the needs of children now and in the future. In doing so we have identified the opportunities and challenges for integrating these new approaches into the city.”

Helen Taylor, Director of Practice

‘Urban Schools: Designing for High Density’ can be ordered from the RIBA Bookshop

The authors also presented a webinar on the same topic, sharing their insight and answering questions. This is available to watch on demand here.

The AJ100 Awards make up part of the AJ100 Digital Festival that runs from Monday 14 September to Friday 18 September. The packed schedules features our Chief Executive Darren Comber.

Speaking on Thursday 17 September at 10am, Darren will explore how design can minimise the spread of contagion. View the programme here.

Let’s make something extraordinary

You're looking for exceptional architecture. We're looking for exceptional projects. Let's start a conversation

Enquire