The name Montessori is widely and inextricably associated with an entirely child-centered and
careful pedagogy and education of children. Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was an Italian
physician reform educator and philosopher whose ideas and work have remained influential
throughout the world ever since the 1910s. Her educational concept covers the entirety of
development from infancy to young adulthood. It is based on the image of the child as a builder
of his or her self and therefore uses for the first time the form of open teaching and free
work in a prepared learning environment. Montessori schools became trendsetting educational
institutions early on and their concept is strongly reflected in their architecture and
equipment. Montessori Architecture is the first book that comprehensively addresses
architectural design construction and the use of materials in and the furnishing of
educational spaces according to Montessori's ideas. The book's first part explores spatial and
design principles that make up good kindergarten and school buildings. In the second part nine
case studies are featured in detail through photographs plans and concise texts. These
examples are located in Europe (the Netherlands Belgium Great Britain) as well as in tropical
countries (Burkina Faso Tanzania Bangladesh Sri Lanka). Thus this highly illustrative
volume offers practical advice and a wealth of information that is of utmost importance for the
design of school buildings in general.
