Director of Practice Helen Taylor recently attended Education Buildings Wales at Cardiff University – an event that brings together key public sector influencers and decision makers, and designers and suppliers to discuss the funding, design, build, maintenance and management of school’s colleges and universities across the UK.

One of the key takeaways from the conference is how Wales is leading the way with the implementation of the ‘Well-being of Future Generations Act’ -encouraging better collaboration and communication between public bodies and the communities they work with. The act aims to drive positive change for current and future generations by encouraging public bodies to really think about the long-term impact of their decisions. This is creating an environment that makes it easier to bring education and other strategies together and to extend the impact of a project beyond the boundaries of the site.

Within this framework for change, children are also being placed front and centre with Cardiff formally recognised as the first UNICEF Child Friendly City (CFC) in the UK: a city where all children and young people can have a voice and input on the decisions being made on their behalf.  The same approach seems to be having a positive impact within education which according to Programme Director of the Welsh Government to Neal O'Leary, is evident in the collaborative desire to address the needs of a broad range of learners.

A presentation by Cardiff Council, ISG, HLM architects and Austen Smith Lord landscape architects on a pioneering co-located education campus design, chaired by Helen, looked at what children really want from their schools. It turns out that they aren’t asking for much these days with ‘good toilets, comfortable seating and natural light’ appearing on the list. There is a clear desire for spaces that engage or calm the senses, with requests for a creatively shaped building, colourful décor, soundproof walls, and a sensory garden. Similarly, spaces for physical activity and exploration, such as outside sheltered and play areas and a swimming pool, were high on the agenda.  

There are many valuable lessons learned here that other regions could benefit from. Policies and leadership support a vision for the next generation that drives collaboration between public bodies, private organisations, and the wider community creates more joined up thinking and initiatives that holistically address social, environmental and economic needs that benefit end users and the planet alike.