Modular Classrooms: Incorporating natural light into our builds

As working with modular buildings offers the opportunity to incorporate plenty of natural light, TG Escapes, the team behind Modular Classrooms, explore how it can have a positive impact in the learning environment, now children have returned to school.

Consulting with an expert optometrist to gather further insight into the topic, Modular Classrooms discovered natural light regulates our sleep-wake cycle, puts different hormonal functions in place, and increases serotonin levels, which are responsible for our sense of appetite, memory, energy and sleepiness, which shows how natural light itself can have an important impact on learning.

A spokesperson for Modular Classrooms commented: “Over recent years, we have seen an increase in the amount of schools looking to improve the educational environment, including incorporating natural light into the spaces.

“In particular, parents and teachers are witnessing first-hand how natural light can benefit and improve learning, which can lead to students having better focus, attention and memory, which ultimately can help to better exam results.”

For a previous build for Kymbrook Primary, based in Bedfordshire, Modular Classrooms specifically had natural light in mind throughout the design process.

The project, priced at £146k, was based on a brief of the children needing a new space to learn and play, with plenty of light to stimulate their learning. 

The design of the new building enabled the children to feel more excited, as the natural lighting provides that outdoor feeling which can boost morale.

During the project, the school’s previous hall was replaced with a structure consisting of a raised roof, which now allows room for multi-sports activities, such as racquet sports.

A spokesperson for Kymbrook Primary commented: “The big windows let so much sunshine into the building and the natural light gives them an extra energy boost.”

With children returning to schools, the government is currently looking into viable options for creating additional space for the future of schooling.

Whilst Kymbrook Primary is just one of ten schools built across Bedfordshire, modular classrooms are quicker to build compared to traditional school builds, meaning they can create permanent extra space in as little as 6 weeks.

This creates the extra space for school children, important for social distancing measures. Schools can also take up the option to keep classes inside the ‘out of school’ buildings whilst other classes stay in traditional classroom environments. 

Modular classrooms are an optimal learning environment and are also well ventilated which will be reassuring for parents to hear. 

Adapting to new measures

Schools across the UK have looked for creative approaches to incorporating more space for school children to learn. For example, sports halls have been turned into classrooms and outdoor spaces adapted to have classes taught outside.

The mixing of different school groups needs monitoring and controlling now children are back at school, so making use of outdoor space and capturing further natural light is a positive move. 

Another consideration for schools nationwide when consulting the build of modular classrooms is the fact these stand-alone buildings can be designed in such a way so children and teachers can access them from multiple points, which in turn can help control the flow of children going in and out.