Developing a Year 11 Sustainable Architecture Program
Established through a bequest from the late Neil Smart, the Neil Smart Environmental Education grants were introduced in 2022 to support staff and students to undertake projects, programs and activities in the area of environmental education.
Neil Smart was a boarder at Prince Alfred College in 1930. In his life subsequently as a farmer, he was ahead of his time in pioneering environmental practices, for which he was well known, including widespread tree-planting. When he died in 2000, he made a generous bequest to Prince Alfred College, asking that it be used “…for education of students from country areas and for studies relating to the environment”.
One of the inaugural recipients was Scott Parker, Teacher of Graphic Design and Sustainable Architecture.
"In 2022, I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship through the Neil Smart Environmental Educational Fund. The focus of the funding would revolve around developing a bespoke Year 11 sustainable architecture course, for use in the first instance solely at Princes, but with the potential to enlighten and impact other students across Australia should the curriculum gather momentum.
The grant enabled me to collaborate with Dr Chris Brisbane, Program Director of Uni SA’s School of Architecture. He, and fellow colleague Dr Arron Davis worked closely with me in developing the semester long sustainable architecture course. The course was developed and scrutinised in the first half of last year, then taught and reviewed in the second half of last year, with Uni SA lecturers assisting with delivery and feedback. A comprehensive course book was also developed. The students have received an advanced level of instruction with some first-year university exercises being run.
The course book and methodology introduce students to the skill sets required to visualise architecture and combine this with the knowledge of sustainability typologies, focusing on solar passive theory, renewable energy, sustainable materials, re purposing and zero/minimal waste. Students engage in rich visual studies that explore specific sustainable aspects. The program then culminates with a final creative project to develop a solar passive temporary residence along the coastline of Hallett Cove.
Understanding the passive features of architecture can have a huge influence on students’ choices as they become more independent consumers and eventually consider home ownership. Similarly, with up to 40% of all carbon emissions coming from buildings, it is imperative we re-think how buildings perform and what materials they comprise of.
The course enters its second year at Princes in 2023 with almost 100 boys in years 10-12 undertaking the subject or using the content in their work. Collaboration with Uni SA continues with the potential for other schools to use the resources, or a collaboration with the educational arm of the Australian Institute of Architects is an ongoing possibility.
The generosity of the Neil Smart Environmental Educational Fund has allowed Princes to develop a unique and perhaps pioneering curriculum for secondary school education. It is unlikely that a course of this depth exists in other Australian schools."
If you would like to help expand the range of environmental education opportunities available to our boys, now and in the future, please contact Helen Karapandzic, Director of Philanthropy on (08) 8334 1220.