Values

Activities

Whose values are reflected in the design of

this space?

What activities are enabled by

the design of this space?

DOE NTs values

ACARAs values

What values are reflected in the design of

this space?

about service delivery; regulation;

visibility monitoring; testing; policy
driven; paternalistic; mainstream
outcome orientated; cost-cutting
See
http://www.education.nt.gov.au/aboutus
Whose values are overlooked?

the Top End tropical environment

with its close proximity to south-east
Asia and north-east and west
Aboriginal Countries
EAL/D learners and their parents /
broader community
locals and Darwin old-timers,
Larrakia
What values are overlooked?

adherence to local customs, morning

time, avoiding the heat of the day
attitudes towards local flora and
fauna; local builders and architects
and local materials

wifi connectivity in the

corridor and classroom
chalk and talk style
teaching
desks and seating for 27 to
30 students
What activities are
inconvenienced or
prevented by its design?

space sharing / opening up

dynamic group work /
presentation space
uncomfortable rigid
furniture
no space for writing on
walls / desks productively
and collaboratively.

Site/System
(location, access, outlook,
climate)
What physical attributes of the
site contribute positively to
users experience of this
space?

large interior windows

visibility between alcove
and classroom
large exterior windows
allow for plenty of light
clean inside
beautiful grounds visible
from inside
building industrial in
scope and design

What physical attributes of the

site impact negatively on
users experience of this
space?

built on a creek system /

drainage problem
climate and location
ignored, windows cannot
be opened, the day
cannot be felt

Technology
(building structure, skin,
climate control, layout,
services, finishes)
What technical aspects of the
building design contribute
positively to users experience
of this space?

lift disability access

plenty of inner space
including alcoves and
more private spaces
fully air-conditioned
windows tinted
commercial kitchen on
ground floor
whiteboards, projectors
cyclone coded
high ceilings

What technical aspects of the

building design impact
negatively on users experience
of this space?

air-conditioning too cold

or not cool enough
acoustics nightmarish due
to large open ground
space and lack of
carpeting on top floor
constantly smell food
cooking
spaces have no furniture
and pin-boards empty

System of human relationships

System of human activity

What feelings, attitudes, beliefs customs or

laws does this learning space evoke for
you?

What processes, information

sources or support services
assist your use of this space?

I know we are built on Larrakia ground on

top of a creek that connects to the larger
Mitchell Creek catchment. I think about how
this ancient place and its history is not
incorporated into design or ethos. I find DOE
NTs values pervasive but the large windows
and the grounds allow for daydreaming and
escape. I feel like the building is generic and
ignores geography.

We have an ICT department who

are fully integrated into the daily
business of our school. The
timetable currently suits the
information flows of the day and
we have a reasonable library
space and computer labs to
support teaching and learning.

System to support human

activity
For you, as learning space
designer, what are the most
inspiring features of the site?

The historical location with the

whispers of creek bed and
stories to be uncovered and retold. The tropical climate and its
dramatic skies, changes in light,
rains and dry season.

Production of the built space

system
For you, as learning space
designer what are the most
inspiring features of the
building?

The light and large dimensions of

the space. The blank cream walls
that could become something.
The large windows and the space
of the grounds. The location.

Raylee Elliott Burns (2003) VAST designing heuristic. Prepared using the work of Dr Tom Heath. Permission is given for this page to be copied with this footnote retained. This
document may not be published in any other form without the permission of Raylee Elliott Burns. Heath, T. (1989). Introduction to design theory. Brisbane: Queensland University
of Technology. Adapted by Hilary Hughes 2013.