Designing for Generations: SPINN Arkitekter's Vision for Community-Centered Schools in Norway

James Dodson, founder of SPINN Arkitekter, discusses his 30-year journey in Norway and the firm's 13-year focus on educational architecture. Core Philosophy "We want our schools to function...also outside of school time. They are community centers" serving as gathering spaces throughout the day for multiple generations. Design Innovation SPINN pioneered vertical courtyard concepts and wooden structure schools, challenging traditional horizontal layouts that created dark, introverted central spaces. Generality Focus Buildings feature flexible room configurations—base rooms (60-90 m²) with breakout spaces—enabling adaptation to pedagogical shifts over 60+ year lifespans. Current Trends Shift from wood-only construction toward mixed materials emphasizing low-carbon concrete and circular economy principles; growing focus on repurposing existing buildings rather than demolition. Multi-functional Integration Schools increasingly serve as libraries, sports facilities, theaters, healthcare centers, and gathering hubs within smaller communities.