Hybrid school as means to spread cultural awareness of developed educational systems

Abstract

Itis a known fact that cultural heritage is the most important legacy of every nation. Schools are influential spaces where students' awareness is raised with respect to the importance of cultural heritage. Moreover, the interior design of the school environment can also allow students to learn about the significance of traditional culture and local educational systems, while creating their own social identity. This research investigates four case studies that document the different approaches of renovating heritage schools in Bahrain, the UAE and Turkey. The design methods found within these cases are analyzed and combined to develop a proposed model of new type of school system to renovate traditional schools of cultural values using advanced technological techniques and makes them livable cultural museums. The paper presents the results of comparative studies in the fields of identification, preservation, and presentation of cultural heritage. The research uses a qualitative approach to analyze the case studies and finds design guidelines that can be combined and simulated in a hybrid heritage school proposal in Bahrain. The purpose of this study is to understand the narrative of educational system development in Bahrain and how the information can be reinterpreted to preserve cultural heritage content using a sensorial experience within the simulated and modeled project. The research results a design guideline to establish a hybrid design approach that combines technologies and values of interior design to maintain schools of cultural values when a process of traditional school renovation is in action. The study contributes to the body of knowledge with a framework that can be used to renovate heritage schools not just locally but on international levels as well to achieve interactive sensorial experience.