Classroom atmosphere plays an important role in promoting learner curiosity, and the learning environment can have both physical and psychological impacts. Chiang Mai University has always recognised the importance of this matter for students from school to university levels. CMU Demonstration School (SatitCMU), operated by the Faculty of Education, prioritises education management, especially in young children’s development and elementary education. Before entering school, children will receive care and preparation in terms of physical and mental aspects, discipline, social skills and intelligence as appropriate to their ages. The latest achievement of the school is the silver award in the Interior Design / Renovation category at the 15th International Design Awards (IDA) 2021 held in the US.
The IDA began in 2007 due to the gathering of designers, thinkers and entrepreneurs worldwide aiming to promote awareness of the value of smart and sustainable designs. It is divided into five categories – Architectural Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Fashion Design and Product Design. In the 2021 edition, projects from more than 80 countries were submitted. Assist. Prof. Dr. Pandin Ounchanum, Vice Dean for Academic and Foreign Affairs, CMU Faculty of Architecture, is the head designer of this award-winning building renovation project, aiming to be a learning pace for kindergarten and elementary students. As the school’s top priority is to promote development, the project is designed in the theme, ‘Colorful-Flowing Learning Space’, which uses colours to stimulate brain functions and the five senses, allowing children to understand the world around them better. Lighter colours are used to give a relaxing and pleasant sensation, getting students ready to learn. Each classroom is connected, as well as the paths at the front and the back that lead to the playground.
Learner-centred development is the goal of CMU, leading to the establishment of learning infrastructures, from the location, the facilities to the curriculum, teacher and educational personnel development, and image change in order to be the source of educational innovations for human development that maximises the students’ gain in knowledge and builds a strong body of knowledge for the future.