By Ellen Kollie

"I don't think schools should be dumbed down architecturally for students," says Sean Coulter, AIA, LEED AP, principal in charge of design for Welles Puglsey Architects, Las Vegas. "Kids are sophisticated. They understand intricate design, and they appreciate it.

"Let's go with that - intricately designed schools that also function exceptionally well as schools.  We're talking about balance in color and texture, flowing lines, and responding to the environment in which it's sited but also having a unique expression. Let's add a variety of materials that students can touch and learn from - durable materials that aren't necessarily rectilinear as we've come to think of most durable materials - to create interesting forms.

Function and art are not mutually exclusive and, in fact, can be successfully combined in a school's architecture, as seen in the design of Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy. A - click here for photos"

I think, to some degree, schools are worth it," says Coulter. "They're learning environments that are supposed to foster creativity and learning. I don't know that a 30ft X 30ft classroom does that sometimes."

We're on a roll now, but there's more. Let's ask students to contribute to the design! It's their facility, so it's only natural that their talent be reflected throughout. And once art teachers are involved in a school's planning and design stages, there's sure to be no shortage of ideas for how students can leave a lasting artistic imprint. In fact, here are some ideas recently generated by art teachers, organized according to materials/elements and spaces.

Materials/Elements for Making Art
Let's start with the obvious: murals. At one of the schools in the Bainbridge-Guilford (N.Y.) Central School District, a walkway connecting an existing building to a new cafeteria is dressed up with 15 murals, chosen through a student design competition. "Newcomers are amazed," says Dan Tennant, an art teacher with more than 30 years experience in the district.

Most people think of paint as a medium when they think of murals. In truth, murals can be made of many mediums, including tile. Pam Schoolmeester, a retired art teacher from Farmington, Minn., suggests that students in a ceramic class make tile to create a mosaic, either on the floor or walls. Similarly, broken tile could be used to make a mosaic.

Speaking of tile, "I just saw something the other day that was very interesting," says Tonia Kauffman, an art teacher at Pequea Valley School District in Pennsylvania. "The school had just started building, and they had one student make tile art that would be added to the foyer."

Consider a design competition to transform plain walls into works of art, as was done at Albion Middle School. B - click here for photos

 Kauffman likes the idea of using art that incorporates the senses to further student learning: "To be able to feel art is necessary for students, especially those with autism and Aspergers Syndrome." To that end, stair railings can be touched, can be designed by students and can be considered art.

Schoolmeester offers two ideas here. First, as you might have already guessed, is wrought iron, although there are different kinds and colors of metals from which to choose. Second is glass, which can be etched, frosted, or colored. If glass is out of the question, a lot can be done with Plexiglas as an alternative. "Plexiglas is flexible, so it can be woven to achieve a 3D look," she observes. "Also, it can be layered. I don't think these things are too expensive."

Two durable materials that can be used to create art may come as a surprise, especially after considering the obvious, and those are cement and brick. No kidding. "I have seen cement painting," says Schoolmeester. "It is done on the cement board that's used for tiling. Real thin colored cement is applied to the board with palette knives to make lovely paintings that have texture and can be touched. It's an art form that's becoming more popular."

I've also seen sculpted brick," Schoolmeester continues. "A park in Duluth (Minn.) has a section of brick wall where the brick's been carved to create a relief sculpture. It's all one color, but it's interesting to look at."

And, in today's high-technology world, a list of materials for creating art wouldn't be complete without mention of computer-generated art. Here's how simple it can be: If you have any type of art that students have created but that you don't want touched, it can be photographed and displayed on a screen or even a blank wall. It can be shown large or small. It can be static: one image per day; or it can be rotating: 10 images viewed for 15 seconds each in a continuous rotation. Similarly computer-generated art or digital photography can be transformed into wall murals. Use your imagination.

When thinking of art, be sure to consider what can be accomplished with technology, as noted in the art display wall at Oakland Schools Administration Building. C - click here for photos 

Spaces in Which to Put Art
Now let's consider the spaces a school offers in which art can be incorporated.  "Practically speaking," says Schoolmeester, "there isn't any part of the whole building that can't be done to meet aesthetic needs." Specifically, there may be some spaces that come as a surprise, like the space overhead.

One of Tennant's fellow art teachers, Elise Craver, allows students to design ceiling tiles in her classroom. He notes that it makes the room look smaller. Still, students probably don't mind because they've been given a chance to showcase their talent. What if those tiles were designed in different patterns to differentiate hallways or display the school mascot?"

I think the open space above our heads is an area that's overlooked," admits Schoolmeester. "Newer schools often have atriums that are two stories or more. It's a good place for mobiles. They could be made of metal or fabric, or any material that moves to get a sense of color and movement."

Another art option for overhead space is flags, which students could design with any kind of theme. They could be made of fabric pieces sewn together or painted fabric. "Because they would be so far away visually," suggests Schoolmeester, "make them big and keep the designs simple."

Newer schools also have open ductwork for an industrial look. They're just lines in terms of art, but they can have added interest by painting them - maybe the school colors. Or, consider using different colors to serve as a directional tool in addition to art.

Another space probably not often considered for art is restrooms. Ask students to incorporate different colors, shapes and designs. For example, how about shaped mirrors?

Some areas of a school in which art can be incorporated are more obvious. The cafeteria is one example. Here, students can create murals or mobiles. "It would be nice to see more murals in elementary and middle schools," Kauffman points out, "and not just limited to high schools." Also, since almost everyone passes through the cafeteria, it's a great place to showcase 3D art pieces.

Want to go with a mural? Consider possible placement, including floors and walls, entryways and cafeterias. The mural at Colin Powell Middle School is on a wall across from the learning resource center. D - click here for photos 

Another obvious space for art is floors. Students can design carpet, or vinyl or ceramic tile. Schoolmeester suggests allowing students to design ceramic tile with little pieces of pewter or copper added for interest, or symbols that are important to a specific community. Feel free to run it up the wall or, as mentioned before, use it as a directional tool.

A third space for art is the gymnasium, which can extend to locker rooms and work-out rooms. Whatever you do, go for colors that are vibrant and stimulating to add interest to otherwise dull spaces. "Color choices don't have to be institutional," Schoolmeester insists, "and may make you want to exercise more."

Ask student artists to break away from institutional colors and go for something bold, as seen at Whitney Community Center. E - click here for photos

This section would not be complete without considering the outdoors as a place for student-designed art. Consider a sculpture garden. Consider sculpture that can be played on. Ask students to create art on the pavement, like a map of the United States or your community. Imagine what students will see when they look out the window from their desk seats.

Remember the outdoors when making your school a work of art. The Cool Globe, created as an educational element, begs designers to think in terms of outdoor sculpture. F- click here for photos

"In the end," notes Coulter, "what's interesting about architecture is that it's art, but it's functional art. We have to apply engineering, reality if you will, to a work of art. In some ways it's restrictive. In some ways it gives us an interesting pallet to work with." Made all the more interesting and artistic by student input.