Techniques To Aid Imagination

The education sector has one of the most complex environments in existence. As well as wanting to provide stimulating learning spaces we also need to provide world-class research environments, social learning spaces, office space, catering and retail outlets, sports facilities and specialist working environments such as medical, hairdressing and building trade facilities. This presents a huge challenge but it also means there are numerous places we can look for inspiration. This section looks at techniques to stimulate new ways of looking at the issues and the section Innovation In The Sector looks at some real-life examples.

UK higher education is distinctive in being one of the few sectors that can plan on long-term ownership and use of its facilities and can therefore reap the full benefits of wise investment in high-performance buidings. Failure to invest will not only create a long-term cost burden, but will also disadvantage UK universities and colleges as more international competitors begin to take sustainability seriously. (Peter James ²⁷).