Education is the very essence of an intelligent community and a smart country and, through the 2021 INDE.Awards and The Learning Space category, we celebrate design that enhances and facilitates all manner of educational typologies. These days, schools and universities have adapted not only to teach their students a course or program but also to help inform their future lives and present them with the tools to succeed in the world. To this end, every learning space is vital to the next generation in every country and, Autex as sponsor of The Learning Space, understands the importance of community and the value of expert learning environments.

Alexandria Fugle, Senior Marketing Coordinator, Australia at Autex commented, “With community at the core of our company values, it is important we support initiatives that allow interior designers and architects the opportunity to showcase the incredible projects they bring to life throughout the year. As experts in interior acoustics, we think it is important to encourage and educate the community on the value of acoustics within learning environments, and the significant effects proper acoustic treatment can have on students’ education.”

As a category, The Learning Space is integral to the INDE.Awards as education is the foundation for understanding and connection. The places in which we learn these days are flexible and adaptable and with good design comes the best opportunity for students to grow. As the supporter of The Learning Space Autex, with more than 50 years experience, is well placed to contribute to best practice by providing environmentally friendly interior acoustic products made from recycled P.E.T, to the architecture and design community. Ensuring that every space is appropriately acoustically designed helps promote learning and aids concentration to support students where and when they need it the most.

Fugle explained, “Our team is dedicated to designing and manufacturing beautiful, high-performance acoustic products that are backed by science. With a passion for building quality learning environments, our team brings a collaborative approach to projects—working alongside architects and designers to ensure the space is treated properly, the product meets both functional and aesthetic requirements, and technical support is available when needed. We understand that architects and designers are curious and passionate about their work, so we’re always happy to share our knowledge to help them gain a deeper understanding of acoustic design in education spaces.”

In 2020 The Learning Space category project winner was The Ian Potter Southbank Centre (IPSC), University of Melbourne designed by John Wardle Architects. As the new home of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music this project celebrates both the rehearsal of music and practice. The design is complex, a compact, eight-level tower and, of course, acoustics are an imperative in this learning environment. Beautifully resolved and a dynamic work and educational space, IPSC is an exemplar of design that promotes learning accompanied by the finesse of acoustic inclusion.

Fugle describes Autex’ commitment to the architecture and design community saying, “At Autex, we are extremely passionate about our work, our industry and our community. With growth and innovation in our DNA, we are constantly learning and developing our products, systems, and approach to design to create acoustic solutions that we are proud of. The architecture and design community is continuously striving to do the best possible work, so it is important to us that we can meet them where they’re at – providing high quality products and resources, and building partnerships that support and assist them in the pursuit of greatness.”

As architects and designers create the environments of the future so to is Autex attuned to the needs and requirements that forward thinking presents. We are preparing the next generation of students and how they learn through the integrity of the spaces, classrooms, auditoriums, multi-experiential settings and master plans in the education sector is critical and with partners such as Autex learning is assured.

The INDE.Awards 2021 is now open and entries for The Learning Space and all other categories can be submitted here.