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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/T26429/01
Title: P3A - Designing fit-for-purpose schools: enabling student participation in the design process
Principal Investigator: Aouad, Professor G
Other Investigators:
Wu, Professor S Tah, Professor J Lee, Dr A
Cooper OBE, Professor R
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
CITB Construction Skills SETPOINT Yoo Media
Department: Res Inst for the Built and Human Env
Organisation: University of Salford
Scheme: PPE PreFEC
Starts: 01 April 2005 Ends: 31 December 2006 Value (£): 68,669
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Design Processes
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
This project aims to customise and exploit exiating technology (nD modelling developed by the University of Salford under Platform Grant GR/r28508/01) into a 3D:nD modelling game that enables school students to be involved in the design of their new/refurbished school. The Department for Education and Skills'(DfES)' Building Schools for the Future' (BSF) programme, which aims to replace or renew all secondary schools over 10 to 15 years from 2005-06, is currently embarking on several such projects in the Greater Manchester region such as Hope High. Good design relies on theinput of all users. Issues such as comfort,safety, practicallity and flexibility all impinge on the design of buildings. Usual public participation methods(such as displays at local council offices: architectural plans,sections and elevations; written text etc) are not easily accessible or presented in a easy-to-understand format for young persons. Students, the users of the bulding, should be involved in this process, thus resulting in more cost effective,user and environmentally-friendly solution to be deployed.Playing the hand of the head teacher, a pupil or parent , students will be able to create and 'build' their ideal school, explore the subsequent design impact of their descisions and modify their creation in response to immediate feedback. The game will assess the impact of crime, accessibility and sustainability of the users's 'solution'. The pros and cons of each design will be highlighted. the results will not only help to inform the design, but also serve to educate the school students (who are based in quite a challanged area of Manchester) to understand the complexity and challange of the design process- thus encouraging the future generations of construction professionals, and science and technology researchers and presenting design engineering as useful ans socially relevant activity. the game is aligned and will support Key Stage 4 of the Design and Technology National Cirriculum.Discussions have already taken place with schools that will be regenerated in the Greater Manchester region, such as Hope High. The 3D:nD game will be available to download off its dedicated website or through CD ROM, and will be supported by a substantial publicity campaign. This proposal will concerntrate on 3 schools in the first instance (200+ students), and once the game has been developed it can be used as a case study exemplar or be easily customised to be applied on any refurb/renew school nationally. The students will range between 14-16 years, wh will be embarking on their choice of career.
Key Findings
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Summary
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Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.salford.ac.uk