INTERACTIVE EDUCATION POD (I.E.P)                               FINALIST BUCKMINSTER FULLER

Interactive education pod targets the developing world with an system linking “productive and illustrative learning.” Illustrative being (old school) text book lessons, productive being the physical and mental development through the realization of success caused by the interaction between teacher and student during the movement of the teachers centre rolling core, all working the sub conscious. Work equals success.

I hope to link cultures and socio economic communities through design and education.

Movement of teachers centre core can also be used to create kinetic energy which generates electricity for the school lighting or works in conjunction with the pumps pumping water from the roof tops to their adjacent dams.

Introducing the I.E.P is at concept level – Structurally as a school / classroom. An octagon shaped building with a centre teachers core. The octagon is divided into its eighths at 25 pupils per class(as per concept example – can be extended outwards in dimension) total 25 x 8 = 200 pupils per octagon/pod.

As a system /learning environment I have created a focus point at the teachers centre core, this teachers centre core lies on bearings which allows them to rotate between lessons, with the assistance of the learners. Thus an interaction occurs by allowing the students to participate in the movement process .Allowing the next lesson to begin, saying farewell to the previous teacher and welcoming the next teacher with their lesson. Teachers are fully functional with relevant subject detail supplied in unique QJD library (copyright).

Unique features of the school structure includes it elevated quarters with top windows allowing ventilation as well as skylights assisting in ventilation and natural lighting. Roof structures designed to supply water to centre gutter and pumped off to adjacent dams.

Bonus features is that the pod is semi prefab in construction, sections of eighth’s. Easily adaptable in any environment (size fitting in area, number of pods depending on size and needs of local population) Pods can be assorted per grade or faculty. Larger pod design for school hall (including teachers lounge and lavatory facilities_ etc). Central pod as per concept example. Introduce another subject – agriculture – growing of own crops – specific for an 3rd world environment learn to live off the land, go green environment. Each class is assigned an adjacent slice/eighth, water supplied from their pods roof line. An competition can be created per class and grade (who  has the greenest pasture?)

Layout designs as per example, floral, bee hive in design, four outer classes / pods / octagons with adjacent garden pods and an larger centre hall assembly all linked with walkways. There is many alternative design layouts possible depending on environment shape

Take time in noticing layout, landscape evoking love and flowers.

Learners helping teachers creates concept of we need to help each other to go forward, our architecture needs to create mechanisms that will remind us daily to think and help others.

Dean Hoffman

I.E.P!