What good is a school without a library? A team of 108 eighth-grade students at REALM Charter School in Berkeley, CA let their curiosity take the lead in designing their school's own reading space, which they call X-SPACE.
X-Space started out as a school project in Studio H, an in-school curriculum led by director Emily Pilloton and 8th-grade teacher Hallie Chen that lets students in grades 8-11 design and build in socially-engaged projects.
The idea and name of X-Space came from the students' desire for a place to study, to relax, to learn and discover "X" — the unknown. In short, they wanted a welcoming library space for fellow students at the growing charter school.
Another product of the project is the X-shaped "STAX" shelving system the students helped construct. The stackable shelves were designed from low-tech 13-ply finished plywood and made using high-tech CNC technology with the help of Autodesk CEO Carl Bass.
Studio H launched a Kickstarter on Feb. 25 and has already raised over $43,000 out of a goal of $75,000. Funds will provide approximately $30,000 for 3,000 books; $20,000 for construction materials, lighting, fixtures, hardware; $15,000 for technology; and $10,000 for software, subscriptions, periodicals and E-books. Backers can receive custom-made bookmarks, bookbags, and the STAX shelves. The Kickstarter ends March 27, 2014.
Find out more about X-Space here.
For more images, click the thumbnails below or visit the X-Space Flickr page.
2 Comments
Maybe they can design the Eisenhower Memorial.
An admirable project in terms of community and participation, it appears. Also, it photographs well. But that nifty Our Kickstarter Plan "sketch" is so obviously and carefully after-the-fact, it's not fooling anyone. Facebook fodder.
Those 108 designers will learn really, really fast why most library shelves are 1) flat, and 2) set against a wall or some backing. Not bashing the kids and their work, only their ooh-aah promotional team. Projects like this, built then observed, provide great lessons for young designers.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.