Montessori Architecture: A Design Instrument for Schools

The name Montessori is closely linked to a child-centered and thoughtful approach to pedagogy and education. Maria Montessori was an Italian physician, reform educator, and philosopher whose ideas and work have influenced education worldwide since the 1910s. Her educational concept covers the entire development of a child from infancy to young adulthood, based on the image of the child as a "builder of their self." Montessori schools are known for their trend-setting educational institutions, and their architecture and equipment reflect their concept. Montessori Architecture is the first book that comprehensively addresses architectural design, construction, materials, and furnishings in educational spaces according to Montessori's ideas. It features nine case studies in Europe and tropical countries, offering practical advice and information for designing school buildings.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 286 pages
Publication date: 13 March 2023
Publisher: Park Books

The name Montessori is widely and inextricably associated with an entirely child-centered and careful pedagogy and education of children. Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was an Italian physician, reform educator, and philosopher whose ideas and work have remained influential throughout the world ever since the 1910s. Her educational concept covers the entire development from infancy to young adulthood. It is based on the image of the child as a "builder of his or her self" and, therefore, uses the form of open teaching and free work in a prepared learning environment for the first time. Montessori schools became trend-setting educational institutions early on, and their concept strongly reflects in their architecture and equipment.

Montessori Architecture is the first book that comprehensively addresses architectural design, construction, the use of materials in, and the furnishing of educational spaces according to Montessori's ideas. The book's first part explores spatial and design principles that make up good kindergarten and school buildings. In the second part, nine case studies are featured in detail through photographs, plans, and concise texts. These examples are located in Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, Great Britain) as well as in tropical countries (Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka). Thus, this highly illustrative volume offers practical advice and a wealth of information that is of utmost importance for the design of school buildings in general.

Dimension: 260 x 200 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783038603153