As September approaches, that “back to school” sensation grows more and more apparent. New uniforms, bags, books and stationery are a must, but when choosing a school, how many parents actually think about the architectural environment"It is surely a no-brainer that well-designed school architecture will impact in a positive way on a child’s academic performance as well as their all-round growth. If we consider performance as related to a person’s mental, physical and emotional health and well-being, then the built environment affects each of these attributes, for better or worse. Moreover, the built environment will influence how we interact and communicate, work and play. In terms of architecture, surroundings that are badly thought out can, at least anecdotally, suppress our sense of self and lessen our ability to excel.The ?Simone Veil? group of schools. Located in the Parisian suburb of Colombes, the building was designed by Dominique Coulon & Associés. Photo courtesy of Dominique Coulon & Associés.A school should be an inspiring place, providing the backdrop in which children will learn and thrive. Good architecture is a key component of this backdrop, where design acts to stimulate a child’s ability to learn.Interior space at Kindergarten Kunterbunt. Designed by Ecker Architekten, it is located in the German town of Babenhausen. Photo courtesy of Ecker Architekten.That back to school sensation is one that ...