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Franklin Conference
Schools by Design: Innovative Intentions

 

The Franklin Conference is a model civic engagement program of the Penn Institute for Urban Research. A joint project of PennPraxis of the School of Design of the University of Pennsylvania and the Center for School Study Councils of Penn's Graduate School of Education, the Franklin Confernece pairs expert opinion with citizen deliberation on important urban topics. In partnership with the Philadelphia Inquirer, it develops and publicizes principles and recommendations towards effecting positive change in the urban environment.

 

March 28, 2005


This Franklin Conference on School Design was occasioned by the School District of Philadelphia's proposed $1.5B capital improvement program. Modeled after Superintendent Paul Vallas' successes in Chicago, the Philadelphia program is part of a vision for small-scale schools that are designed to facilitate student learning. This Franklin Conference was an opportunity to discuss the impact of this initiative on the economic, social, cultural and educational landscape of Philadelphia for years to come. How best, then, to integrate and think about the significance of this initiative?


Program of Panelists and Presenters

Pictures from World Cafe Live

Feedback from Group Discussions

 


Franklin Conference Principle Sessions

 
These five principle sessions were held in specific regions of the School District, focusing on concerns pertaining to these areas. The meetings consisted of an overview presentation of different approaches to school design, followed by small group collaboration, facilitated group discussion, and a closing summary of main ideas. The ideas that came from the small discussion groups were tabulated and presented at the Principles Consolidation session, where community members created the seven Franklin Principles as they exist today.


May 17, The Enterprise Center
View pictures (PDF - 1.5 MB) for the May 17th session
View raw data (.doc - 46kB) from small group discussions

May 19, Northeast High School
View pictures (PDF - 1.5 MB) for the May 19th session
View raw data (.doc - 27kB) from small group discussions

May 24, High School for the Creative and Performing Arts
View pictures (PDF - 2.2 MB) for the May 24th session
View raw data (.doc - 77kB) from small group discussions

May 26, Dobbins High School
View pictures (PDF - 3.7 MB) for the May 26th session
View raw data (.doc - 30kB) from small group discussions

June 01, West Philadelphia High School
View pictures (PDF - 2.1 MB) for the June 1st session
View raw data (.doc - 72kB) from small group discussions


Franklin Conference Principles Presentation

 


Principles Consolidation Session


Tuesday, June 7
The Philadelphia Inquirer Building


View pictures (PDF - 3.7 MB) for the June 7th session

 


School Design Charrette


Saturday, June 11
CHAD (Charter High School for Architecture + Design)

The Franklin Conference on School Design Charrette graphically advanced the principles gained from the preceding civic deliberation sessions. This event brought together the expertise of design professionals in architecture, landscape architecture and planning to test the physical constraints of the communities' goals for school improvement. For one full day, these experts put these ideas into motion, producing designs for three schools on emblematic sites. The results were published in the Currents section of the Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday, June 26.

List of all Charrette Participants


Outcomes of Charrette Sessions

 

 
Final Plenary Session: Applying The Principles


Monday, June 27, The Philadelphia Inquirer Building


Franklin Conference Results Presentation
  

 

Additional Reading on School Design

 


Architecture in Education Related Links

 

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