ACO North Waterloo Region Lecture Series: Designing for Education

Tuesday, March 21, 2017 7:00 pm - 7:00 pm GMT (GMT +00:00)

Lecture #2
The One Room Schoolhouse and Beyond: The Work of the Knechtel Firm 1890 - 1930 
Presentation by Susan Burke  

For much of the 19th century, the one room school house played a vital role in the life of Ontario’s rural communities. Change when it came, was slow, much to the chagrin of the passionate cleric, Egerton Ryerson who, as Superintendent of Education, was bent on reform. The schoolhouse designs of this Berlin/Kitchener firm over forty years reveal the gradual implementation of the provincial standards and reflect advances in technology and pedagogical thought and in social change. 

The Modern Schoolhouse: Post-war Growth and Change in Waterloo Region 
Presentation by Rick Haldenby 

The education system in Ontario changed dramatically after the Second World War. The population and the economy expanded dramatically. It was clear we needed a highly educated workforce. Cities across the province embarked on a dramatic expansion of their facilities for all levels of education. In our area the expansion was the most dramatic: dozens of new schools were built. Their designs reflected new ideas in architecture and education: some were aggressively modern, some looked back to the traditions of the past and integrated them in hybrid forms. All were designed by local architects. They were of high quality and remain with us today. 

Admission is free for members of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario. To become a member, please visit ACO.
For non-members admission is $8.50.