Students given chance to design school facilities

Architect Bob Oyugi explains architectural design to Martha Wangui and Sheryl Siako at WoodCreek School. [Jacinta Mutura, Standard]

On a Tuesday afternoon, scores of learners at Woodcreek School gather in a multipurpose hall for an arguably interesting session.

Ordinarily, a teacher would be at the front addressing them but this setting is different and unusual. The gathering would be addressed by an architect, engineers and other construction professionals.

By the end of the two-hour session, the learners are expected to have a clear understanding of the geographical plan of the school’s existing facilities as well as the architectural design of upcoming projects.

The learners keenly follow as architect Bob Oyugi explains the architectural design of the school, which offers the British curriculum, and the upcoming construction of boarding facilities and an elementary school.

At first, Oyugi explains the roles of structural engineers, project managers and quality surveyors, among others. He then takes them through various features of the upcoming construction projects.

“These are the bathrooms, the rooms are here, the exit points are on this end, and these are the common areas within the dormitory area,” Oyugi explains to the students using a 3D design plan.

He goes on to explain all the features in the new projects in the design projects on a smart board suspended on the wall.

According to the school’s principal Daniel Muthee, acquainting the students with the geographical plan of their school not only gives them a sense of ownership but also enhances the understanding of the escape routes in case of emergencies.

“Even if they are young, they have a mind of their own. As wild as their thinking and ideas may be, involving students in decision-making processes develops their confidence to air their views when they miss out in situations,” said Muthee.

He added, "The geography of a school should be known to everyone. Involving the children in designing their own space is more important than doing an orientation program. Because they have the ownership of the space and they’ll grow school connectedness.”

According to the educationist, the idea is a lesson that can be passed to other private and public sectors.

“Involve people in building what you want them to own. Just like what is happening with school unrest and fires, protests of any kind leave a mark of destruction. Because people don’t have a connection with what they find around them, they don’t care about the consequences.

“That is what we are lacking in this country. You’ll find that students have been brought into a certain box to fit in. They have to maneuver their way into the spaces. Should something happen most of them get stranded,” said Muthee, adding that the lessons create a sense of self-responsibility among the learners.

“If students participate in designing their own school, there is joint ownership between the school management and the learners. It becomes a monument they took part in creating. Even when they come back as alumni, they still associate with the projects.”

After the presentation, Oyugi opens the floor for questions and clarifications.

Celine Nduta, 13, was concerned about storage in the dormitories. Her suggestion was to rework the plan and add more storage facilities.  

Having been to three boarding schools, Nduta felt appreciated to participate in designing their own school.

“I am really excited that I got to participate in the establishment of the boarding facilities. It is a good idea to involve students in the process and I hope our views will be incorporated in the final product,” she said.

Tessie Njoroge, 12, who is in Class 8, said she was not satisfied with the design of washrooms and the sleeping cubicles.

For Alvin Kimanzi, 14, his main desire was an indoor basketball court so that they can use it at any time regardless of the weather situation.

The exercise also enables the learners to benefit from career guidance.

The school’s director Peter Karoki said Kenyans must wake up to the reality that infrastructural presentations have a major impact on everyone.

“Whether at home, learning institutions or at the workplace, people tend to enjoy and feel comfortable when the buildings are user-friendly,” he said.