In the heart of Lefkoşa, Northern Cyprus, a pressing question is being asked: Are our pre-schools designed with sustainability and comfort in mind? Rasha Tarboush, an architect and researcher from the Near East University’s Faculty of Architecture, has taken on this challenge, evaluating local pre-schools against global sustainability criteria. Her work, recently published in the journal Prostor (which translates to “Space”), is shedding light on the gap between current design standards and the potential for more eco-friendly, inclusive educational spaces.
Tarboush’s study, titled “Evaluating Pre-School Design in Lefkoşa, Northern Cyprus, Based on Global Sustainability Criteria,” is a call to action for the construction and education sectors. She collected and harmonized common global school design standards to form the “Eco-Friendly School Criteria” (EFSC), which she then used to re-evaluate four public pre-schools in Lefkoşa. The results were eye-opening.
“The average compliance rate of these schools with the EFSC standards is 68 out of 110,” Tarboush explains. “This indicates a significant lack in providing a sustainable and comfortable learning environment for all users, including people with disabilities.”
The implications of this research are far-reaching, particularly for the energy sector. As the world grapples with climate change, the need for sustainable buildings is more pressing than ever. Schools, as public institutions, play a crucial role in this transition. By designing schools that are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint.
Moreover, sustainable design isn’t just about the environment; it’s also about the people who use these spaces. “A well-designed school can make students feel a sense of belonging to the place,” Tarboush notes. This sense of belonging can lead to better learning outcomes and improved well-being for students and teachers alike.
The commercial impacts are also substantial. As the demand for sustainable buildings grows, so does the market for green construction materials and technologies. This research could spur innovation in the sector, driving the development of new, more efficient products and services.
Tarboush’s work is a reminder that good design matters. It matters for our environment, for our communities, and for our future. As she puts it, “The aim of this study is to show the importance of increasing the scope of knowledge in North Cyprus about the concept of pre-school design, and to re-evaluate it to consider the extent to which the current design of schools conforms to the EFSC standards while taking into account local standards.”
Her research is a stepping stone towards a more sustainable future, one that benefits us all. As the construction industry continues to evolve, studies like Tarboush’s will be instrumental in shaping the way we build, design, and inhabit our spaces. The question now is, will we rise to the challenge?