Aesthetic Lab: Transforming Classrooms into Spaces of Aesthetic Education

Creating a Receptacle for Rational Knowledge and Perceptual Imagination

The Aesthetic Lab, designed by Pei Ting Yu, is a groundbreaking project that aims to revolutionize the way classrooms are designed and utilized for aesthetic education. Located in New Taipei City, Taiwan, this innovative classroom space challenges traditional notions of classroom design and fosters an environment that encourages students to engage with aesthetics in their daily lives.

The first step in the transformation process was creating a blank canvas. The interior walls and ceilings were painted white, providing a neutral backdrop that allows children's imaginations to run freely. To enhance the visual experience, all the facilities and equipment inside the classroom were rendered white, ensuring a complete and pure aesthetic experience for the students.

One of the unique features of the Aesthetic Lab is its adherence to visual composition techniques such as equal balance, centering, and symmetry. The dimensions of the items inside the classroom are based on the golden ratio, further enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the space. The flowing lines on the floor serve as a manifestation of the knowledge applied within the space, conveying intangible concepts to the students.

The central island in the classroom integrates various functions, including water faucets, outlets, and storage space. By maximizing the usage area and accommodating the movement of student desks and folding chairs, the space can be easily rearranged for different course requirements, such as small group creation, lectures, and exhibitions. Teachers are encouraged to use storage boxes to classify teaching materials and equipment, ensuring effective utilization and avoiding unnecessary clutter.

The Aesthetic Lab also serves as a platform for students to showcase their projects. By replacing the ceiling's rail-mounted lights with projection lights, the classroom can be transformed into an exhibition space. This allows students to present their works and achieve a new level of experience in aesthetics learning, connecting it with their life experiences.

The design of the Aesthetic Lab was not without its challenges. Communicating with the school took time, as the unconventional layout and material usage raised concerns about functionality, safety, and future maintenance. However, through dedicated discussions and building confidence, the vision for the Aesthetic Lab was realized.

The Aesthetic Lab is a testament to the importance of aesthetics in education. By transforming classrooms into spaces of aesthetic education, students are given the opportunity to explore and engage with aesthetics in a tangible and meaningful way. The Aesthetic Lab has been recognized for its innovative design, receiving the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2022.

Through the Aesthetic Lab, Pei Ting Yu has created a space that not only facilitates the learning of aesthetics but also challenges preconceived notions of what a classroom should be. By embracing aesthetics as an integral part of education, the Aesthetic Lab paves the way for a new approach to teaching and learning, where rational knowledge and perceptual imagination coexist.