West and Associates

November 18, 2016

Contact: Jennifer West
trustingod@roadrunner.com
(714) 123-4567

Gaylaird Christopher an award-winning architect and one of the

nations leading educational architects spoke at the Eight International
Congress on the Development of Physical Infrastructure in Education on
The Impact of Green Initiatives on Student Learning: Non-Financial
Reasons for Going Green.
Christopher is a member of the American Institute of Architects, principal
architect and president of Arichitecture for Education Inc., Pasadena, California, whose
career spans over three decade spoke as part of an international panel of experts on
Space-Related Designs, New Materials, Equipment and Construction Processes. The
congress was held Nov. 10-14, 2016, at the Holiday Inn in Durango, Mexico. It is held
annually in November. The event was sponsored by Insituto Nacional de la Infrastructura
Fisica Educativawhich was established in November 2002, as a forum created for the
exchange of knowledge, information and experiences, with the purpose of innovating in
the areas of educational spaces and installation. It is attended by representatives of the
planning, design and construction community from Mexico and by guests from other
nations. The conference featured a commercial exhibit of products and services in the
field of construction and equipment for educational spaces. The conference planners said
the objective of the event and exhibit is to generate the exchange of knowledge in the
areas of quality and functionality in educational spaces, innovation in design, new
materials, furniture, equipment, construction processes, installation, technological

advances and social participation in physical educational infrastructure. The subjects

covered at this years conference included: designs related to spaces, new materials,
furniture, equipment and construction processes; sustainable innovative systems
involving installations and their relationship to educational spaces; social participation in
physical educational infrastructure; and quality learning environments. Some highlights
from Christophers speech were Going green yields substantial financial benefits, but in
the educational environment, a sustainable philosophy impacts students, teachers, and the
community at multiple levels. Teenagers who typically would not consider turning off
a light switch have a newly found passion for saving the world. They have an innate
respect for the environment: the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the animals and
plant life that share our planet. As we designers and educators work with the developers
of future planned communities, together we can minimize environmental disruption by
siting residential, commercial and institutional buildings in appropriate locations, leaving
open spaces in areas which are environmentally sensitive. If the design of the learning
environment helps students become better stewards of our resources, that school fosters
lifetimes of environmental success with our citizenry and community. Those children, as
they go on to become parents, professionals, and leaders, will make this world a better
place for all. Christopher stated.
He further said green environments can save money and can save the Earth and
that in a school setting in green environments can foster a better education for todays
students. That green environments are inherently more healthful and aesthetically
pleasing and they offer a learning setting that supports educational activities. He
emphasized that a people-friendly, comfortable environment also reinforces the
importance of learning and an energy-efficient environment engages students in their
schools conservation efforts. He stated that simple acts, such as opening and closing
windows, turning off lights, and recycling various materials all reinforce the importance

of environmental care for students on a daily basis. Christopher told the international
audience that thoughtful, careful design in a world of endangered environment is very
important. He said the effects of sustainable school designs can have far-reaching
ramifications for generations to come. Under Christophers leadership, Pasadena-based
Architecture for Education Inc. focuses exclusively on national educational facilities
combining creativity, strategy, functionality, and cost effectiveness.
Christopher may be reached at Architecture for Education Inc., 45 Smith Alley,
Suite 200, Pasadena, CA 91103, (626) 356-4080, or at
gchristopher@architecture4e.com or www.architecture4e.com.