Thursday, March 17, 2016

Designing Education--Trip to Urban Discovery Academy

It was inspiring to walk through the halls of Urban Discovery Academy after hearing the history of the school and learning about the design process. What I liked most was the sense that every detail, from the bell to the desks, represents a multitude of choices and comes with its own story. I love the intention that went into creating this learning environment. I imagine what a difference it must make to the students who spend a large part of their days in this space, on both a conscious and a deeper level.

The art space was amazing. It makes sense that a school that recognizes the vital importance of The Arts be beautifully designed.

It is was interesting to hear how many times things “went wrong.” Even with great ideas and choices, there is still a lot of work that goes into the implementation phase to make sure things are carried out in the right way.

This trip was especially meaningful because I drove by this site on a weekly basis en route to a yoga class as it was being built/renovated. It felt new and fresh, and now I know more about why. It was fun to see a little bit being added each time, especially towards the end when things seemed to be coming together at increasing speed.


The view from the roof was breathtaking. It is a mixture of smart design and integrating the city, the surroundings, and the community with the school.

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