International School Parent Magazine - Autumn 2019

they focus on transparency, relation and
reciprocity. The role of light, and the
deliberate blurring of outside and inside,
real and virtual learning environments
(the latter achieved via innovative use
of information technologies) are all
elements deliberately chosen to provoke
dialogue, reflection and interaction. The
environments favour a variety of shapes
and sizes of learning spaces, from large
public or community areas, to smaller
and more intimate spaces, with children
encouraged to use their imaginations,
and the natural environment, to create
their own tools and props. At Ecolint’s La
Châtaigneraie Primary School, Principal
Jennifer Armstrong - who was formerly
Founding President of the Ontario Reggio
Association and a board member of the
North American Reggio Educators Alliance
- was able to design the new building from
scratch to interpret our understanding
of these principles prior to its opening in
2011, and first-time visitors to the school
are always struck by the airy sense of calm
and openness which the building’s design
inspires.
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