BA(AS) Hong Kong University, HKU, Spring 2025
Prof. Sabine Storp, Visiting Professor
‘The big shift I think, has to go from education as an industrial process to an organic one.’
Sir Ken Robinson
The 4th year studio will question what education is and what implications this has on the space needed/used/appropriated for education.
Ever since we all lived through the pandemic, we have questioned if our educational systems are fit for purpose. We need to rethink not only the spaces for education – schools, but we also need to rethink and overhaul the principles they are based on to make them fit for an ever more uncertain future. Are they fit for purpose in a rapidly changing world?
The challenge goes beyond redesigning physical spaces like schools; it requires rethinking and transforming the very principles upon which these institutions are founded. Is it still the only accepted way of teaching to keep our children in an enclosed environment during a time when their brains are developing? Is confining students to enclosed environments the best approach during critical stages of cognitive development? More importantly, how can we ensure that we equip them with the tools needed to navigate unpredictability, rather than teaching from outdated syllabi developed in the last century?
The design of educational spaces has a profound impact on how we learn and grow. Effective design must nurture curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and lifelong learning skills.
However, many of our current educational systems were established during the Industrial Revolution and mimic the characteristics of that era. They emphasize standardization, conformity, and efficiency—approaches designed to deliver information uniformly and measure outputs through rigid assessments.
In contrast, consider the principles of organic farming, which prioritize diversity and holistic growth. Organic practices emphasize the health of the entire system and focus on enriching the soil to produce healthy, sustainable outcomes that respect local environments. When the conditions are right, growth happens naturally. This philosophy can be applied to education: when we focus solely on yield and output—driven by data and metrics—we lose sight of the natural, human processes of teaching and learning.
Education should be a human-centric process where students of all ages thrive under nurturing conditions. Our role is to create these conditions in schools and universities, fostering an environment that supports adaptability, resilience, and creative problem-solving. In a world where physical and cultural climates are shifting, education must evolve to prepare learners for these realities and harness the potential of our collective resources.
It’s time for education to move beyond the industrial model and embrace an organic approach that prioritizes the development of individuals and communities alike.
We are living in a world where the climate is changing physically around us. We need another cultural climate in education where we could deal with these changes to make the most of our natural resources. Belonging & Connection to the environment we live in results in personal identity, with diversity , inclusion and connection to each other.
The studio will develop teaching spaces away from the school. These satellites will question what learning spaces should address in a changing world—Agency & Engagement as a driver for new design ideas.
Our site in Tai O will look at the seasonal and climatic changes, will question the cultural heritage, materials, and the constant flux of tourists, and the de-population of the town.
