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Over the past few years, we’ve seen modern school building designs evolve to better meet the needs of both educators and students. Architects can now elevate school buildings from simple to dynamic by adding structural elements and new exteriors. By utilizing new textures, materials and colors, designers can dramatically improve student performance by creating a welcoming environment.
Monotone blueprints are on the way out while green school building design, contrasting colors and sustainable school architecture are in. Take a look at the new wave of the architectural design of school buildings and how their evolved aesthetic helps foster collaboration, flexibility and active learning below.
By applying modern design principles and leveraging cutting-edge materials, architects have a hand in how new generations of kids will learn and grow. For safe buildings, architects need to prioritize durable and strong materials that will last a long time and keep educators and students protected as they learn.
Fiber cement is one such material, and it offers a plethora of different textures for designers to get creative. Fiber cement cladding offers architects a long life span due to its manufacturing process. Composed of cement, wood fiber and other materials, fiber cement cladding holds up incredibly well to extreme weather, severe natural disasters, wear-and-tear and hot sun.
If designers are working in a hot climate prone to wildfires, fiber cement is fire and heat resistant, possessing the same fire-resistant qualities of brick, and it even comes in textures such as brick or concrete.
At Nichiha, our IndustrialBlock cladding from our concrete series gives chic appeal, a natural concrete look and helps designers achieve versatile design by pairing it with other panels — like our Illumination series — and pops of colorful accents. It also has a built-in rainscreen to protect the building from moisture intrusion, mold, mildew and the need for replacement.
As architects design new schools and update existing campuses, they are striving to include more modern materials that offer new colors and textures. “Color plays a big role in any campus design; it can bring a bright spot to a neighborhood, bring attention to the main point of entry to help with wayfinding, and even visually break down the scale of a large building,” says HMC Architects.
But you can’t just stop at color. You need a cladding material that is also durable, cost-effective and resilient alongside its aesthetic appeal.
Take a look above at Mount Eden High School which utilizes our Illumination fiber cement cladding in custom shades of green and white. The Hayward High School, pictured below, also utilizes Nichiha’s Illumination fiber cement cladding in custom shades of orange.
When it comes to K-12 schools, shades of blue, green and purple tend to be calming. Green is known in science to be the easiest color for the retina to perceive, which can aid in long-term concentration. A study even found that the color green can enhance reading ability.
Reds, yellows and oranges can generate feelings of energy, according to Spectrum Industries, Inc. Specifically, orange is thought to be welcoming and mood enhancing, which can improve neural functioning. Access to orange color schemes is also believed to increase oxygen supply to the brain, helping students perform better on exams due to increased stimulation.
Our Illumination series offers architects and designers access to custom coloring with our Color Xpressions System. With Illumination cladding, architects can deliver a sleek, sophisticated look with pops of color and design versatility is endless.
Architectural designs of universities are going for a more industrial, sleek look with unique design elements to help them stand out. 2022 is no longer the time for a cookie-cutter appearance.
Schools are looking to stand out from the pack with their own palettes, different textures and unique accents. Just about anything designers dream up is possible when they mix and match textures, hues and shapes.
Fiber cement panels come in horizontal or vertical applications and architects can create impressive educational building designs by contrasting applications like the school above. This Dallas area school uses our Illumination series panels in contrasting colors and line sequences for a fresh look that’s on-brand and on-trend. It offers creative flair without going overboard.
This application also provides extra protection and insulation for a healthy learning environment, with moisture protection from the built-in rainscreen allowing for better indoor ventilation. And for schools looking to gain LEED credits, our panels are made from a low-emitting material, giving architects additional credits for school projects.
As people gravitate toward wide-open spaces, architects are choosing colors and textures that remind them of nature. Espresso browns, deep greens and natural beiges are making their way into the exterior finishes on educational buildings to bring about a rustic, welcoming feel.
Wood and stone-like aesthetics are popular as well, especially when they are mixed and matched to create an invigorating twist on a classic design. Authentic stone and wood come with hassles though, like high maintenance, pest control and expensive installation.
Fiber cement offers a simpler installation, limited maintenance and resistance to pests with a look that easily duplicates real wood and stone.
Looking for design or pricing assistance? Nichiha representatives are on-hand to answer your questions, ensure your detailing is technically sound and that your project meets all product and design requirements.
Help Is On The Way
School building design is evolving. Fiber cement allows architects to create an aesthetically stylish, durable and high-quality education building that’s on-trend and low maintenance.
If you’re looking for more ways to help your exterior designs create an impact in the commercial school design space, check out our product offerings at Nichiha and contact a rep to find out more about the possibilities fiber cement cladding can offer your projects.