Abstract:

The first part of our presentation will focus on the context of a major initiative of the Quebec government (Canada) on the improvement of physical learning environments in Quebec primary and secondary schools. Secondly, we will examine various issues such as research and academic implications of the project, as related to its implementation and development.

This project was initiated a few years ago following up the assessment that Quebec school buildings had seriously been neglected and were in urgent need of modernization. Along with various renovation initiatives emerged the need to innovate, to look ahead and envisioned a new type of school: open to the community, in harmony with nature and the physical environment. The objective was to conceive a lifelong learning environment, accessible to all members of the community. At this point, a renowned professor in architecture at Laval University, a famous culinary chef and a prominent figure in the promotion of health and physical activity took the matter in their own hands and combined their efforts in 2016 to propose the Deputy minister an ambitious project: conceptualizing and ultimately building five innovative schools across the province which would serve as benchmarks or “laboratories” for future initiatives.

The response of the Quebec government was very positive and consequently agreed to finance the project for five-years (5M$ CAD) in 2017. The Quebec Lab school was born. An NPO (non-profit organization) was created then and the Lab school became an autonomous organization with its own staff and a Board of directors with members from various fields (university representative, teachers, government leaders, school administrators, etc.). In this context, the three promoters are piloting dimensions based on their own expertise: architecture, nutrition and physical activity, the Lab school umbrella concept remaining the conception of physical and organizational spaces conducive to learning.

In brief, the main purpose of the Lab school is to document best practices, develop and experiment new approaches, practices and methods through a collaborative design approach with the outcome being building 5 innovative schools. Issues from a research and academic standpoint, such as the methodology used, the interface between private interests and school needs and the nature of the body of knowledge constructed through the process are fundamental and will be discussed in the second part of this presentation.

Keywords:

School design, innovation.