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By Gavriela Nussbaum, architect, Israel
The Democratic School in the city of Kfar-Saba demonstrates how an ideological approach towards education can be expressed through architecture. It is part of a movement of Democratic Schools in Israel and across the world where students participate in decisions about how their school is run.
The Democratic School’s curriculum is based on democracy, equity and flexibility, and its buildings were designed to support these ideals. The educational approach is reflected in the openness of the design which provides a variety of places and volumes, including both open and closed spaces. Its main architectural principles are maximum flexibility, a close relationship between indoor and outdoor areas and the creation of study areas as an alternative to traditional classrooms.
The layout is based on a modular system of large spaces around an open patio. Surrounding the patio, an open colonnade serves as an intermediate area between outside and inside. A pergola in the centre of the patio acts as an outdoor classroom. The indoor areas vary in size and can be modified using easily moveable partitions. Any space on the site can be used for learning.
Layout
The Democratic School covers the grades 1 through 12 and focuses on drama, music, dance, art, cooking and communication. Learning takes place in “subject centres”, and the age groups are mixed. The school emphasises personality over technology, and each of the 360 students gets individual attention. The students can choose their academic programme but must stick to their choice; this is one way the school teaches responsibility and commitment.
The patio
The campus is located in the heart of an orchard which is part of an agricultural school. Its single story buildings, constructed with natural materials, have sloping, tiled roofs to create a rural atmosphere and blend in with the local architecture. The school’s construction has helped improve the image of the surrounding poor neighbourhood.
Parents, staff and students contribute to the life of the school, and the community is involved through cultural and social events. Parents take part in school activities and support it financially. The staff are devoted to the school’s ideals and participate in after-hours activities. Maintenance work is carried out by staff and students together. (The school has a Parliament where students and staff take decisions by voting.)
The Democratic School has been in existence for some ten years and has evolved over that period. It initially started with only the lower grades. The students have been successful in passing the matriculation exams (national board exams), and the school has won prizes for art work, children's rights and environmental leadership. The library was enlarged three years ago, extra-curricular activities and outdoor classes have increased, and the grounds have been landscaped. The school had developed a strong reputation, and a long list of children from Kfar-Saba and its surroundings are waiting to be accepted. The flexible and open design have made it possible to adapt to changes in the pedagogic programme while maintaining the school’s unique atmosphere.
For more information, visit www.democratic.co.il and www.demokratiks.org.il (in Hebrew) or contact:
Architect Gavriela Nussbaum
3, Gretz Street
Tel Aviv 64385
Israel
E-mail: nussi@inter.net.il; gaby@gabynussbaum.com; gaby@gabynussbaum.co.il
Website (under construction): gabynussbaum.co.il; gabynussbaum.com
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