July 21, 2006—The Schools Design Forum (SDF) is a new initiative by the BRE Trust and the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) to address the need increasingly felt by many involved with schools to improve the way sustainability is delivered both in the terms of the way schools are designed and constructed today as well as the way they engage with pupils and the community to promote truly sustainable communities of the future.
“Through BSF (Building Schools for the Future) and the primary program starting in 2008, we have a unique opportunity to build schools that not only improve sustainability today but allow future generations of pupils, teachers and the community to work together to bring about a step change in sustainability – let us not miss this opportunity,” said Sir Neville Simms, Chairman of the BRE Trust.
Initial funding for the Forum has been provided by BRE Trust but the SDF is a national collaborative self-help program where members joining fees go to fund work to meet the objectives of the SDF and its members.
The task group nature of the SDF, and the pace of change of the BSF, dictates clear objectives and timescales. The life of the Forum is expected to be no more than four years, by which time its objectives must be achieved – this also defines members’ commitments. For more information, visit the Web site.
