In response to the continuing development of and interest in vertical schools across Australia, a TVS research paper, Conversations about Vertical Schools in Australia, found little available peer-reviewed research examining how vertical schools change and strengthen relationships between space and education.
The discussion paper, launched by Project Lead Associate Professor Jill Willis to coincide with the AARE Conference in Adelaide in December 2022, has been released. The discussion paper is based on a literature review and is a first step in understanding the current state of research. It also informs the development of a research agenda about vertical schools.
The aim of this initial discussion paper is to engage with current commentary on vertical schools as a basis for provoking further thought and conversation around the distinctive possibilities afforded architecturally and educationally by the ‘verticalness’ of vertical schools.
The research canvassed academic databases, media reports, grey literature (reports and conference papers) and policy to identify themes and issues emerging from these ‘conversations’. Five peer reviewed research publications, published between 1995 and mid-2022, were identified through a literature search.
The discussion paper finds that:
- More vertical schools are being built as Australian State educational authorities have identified a need to build schools in urban areas due to population growth resulting from urbanisation. However, available land for such infrastructures is limited.
- Vertical schools are referred to as an emergent typology and the TVS research project aims to explore what this means and its implications for student experience.
- Multiple stakeholders inform the design and day to day operations of vertical schools with the urban context drawing attention from stakeholders across the spectrum from the design to the operations of the schools.
- Development of shared vision and language across disciplines can inform reimagining education and urban communities.
The partners in the Thriving in Vertical Schools ARC Linkage project are collaborating in the development of shared language and knowledge. Project partners have contributed to the discussion paper through a roundtable discussion to test and reflect on some of the work presented. Commentary from this roundtable is included in the discussion paper.
The Thriving in Vertical Schools ARC Linkage project is designed to generate evidence from students, designers, school leaders and teachers about their everyday experiences in vertical schools.
While the evidence from the Thriving in Vertical Schools project will answer some of the questions raised in the discussion paper, there is a need for more research and transdisciplinary dialogue across the architecture, education, urban planning, construction, design and wellbeing communities.
The ideas and questions raised in the discussion paper are invitations to talk across disciplines and plan to learn from research.
The document was designed by Jess Greentree who is currently a PhD student in interactive design at QUT.
The TVS Discussion Paper, Conversations about Vertical Schools in Australia can be downloaded here.
Executive Summary of the Discussion Paper can be downloaded here.