No school is an island On EliumStudio’s En Archipel
A review of the project En Archipel - For an Evolving School – designed by EliumStudio with VIA’s Carte Blanche design grant – which presents us with an insular glimpse into the future of education.
Despite the intention of being an ecosystem of multiple interfaces that enables students to be autonomous and work collaboratively, En Archipel fails to create an innovative learning environment.
Instead of encouraging participation and initiative, the ensemble of devices, furniture and environments convey rigidity and conformity – reinforcing a top-down approach to education, where knowledge is transmitted rather than built.