Articles
Designing the Future: Reflections on Our First Year in Fairgreen’s Design Studio
By Ms Andrea Celestine, Design Technology Teacher at Fairgreen International School
In a world where innovation and creativity drive progress, I feel incredibly fortunate to witness our students at Fairgreen International School embrace these qualities every day. Rooted in our pillars of sustainability, wellbeing, innovation, and international mindedness, our Design & Technology programme encourages learners not just to achieve academically, but to make a meaningful impact.
This year marks a very special milestone: the first anniversary of Fairgreen’s state-of-the-art Design Studio. In just twelve months, this space has grown into the beating heart of creativity on campus — a place where bold ideas meet real-world application. Watching students walk through its doors with curiosity, and leave with confidence and pride in their creations, has been one of the great joys of my teaching career.
Where Ideas Take Shape
From the very first day, our Design Studio was conceived as more than a classroom — it is a place where ideas take flight. When I walk through, I see Grade 7s testing toy boats they engineered to sail across the pool, Grade 9s exploring CAD modelling for innovative storage solutions, and Diploma students refining complex projects such as reimagining the Polaroid camera or curating fully interactive digital exhibitions.
Our different studios each serve a unique purpose:
● CAD Studio – Equipped with 3D printers and laser cutters, this is where sketches become prototypes.
● Wood Workshop – Where craftsmanship and precision come together, with projects like sustainable birdhouses reminding us that design can support both function and the environment.
● Plastics Recycling Studio – One of our most powerful sustainability initiatives, giving discarded plastic a new life as coasters, bowls, or slabs for larger projects.
● Digital Design Studio – A space where VR and immersive tools allow students to step inside their own creations.
● Podcast Studio – Home of Fairgreen Voices, our entirely student-led podcast that amplifies the perspectives of our learners.
● Fashion Studio – Where sustainability meets creativity, most memorably through projects like Junk Kouture, transforming waste into runway-ready designs.
● Green Screen Suite – Bringing student-led campaigns, films, and stories to life through visual storytelling.
Learning With Purpose
What makes me most proud is how our students embrace design with purpose. Every time they recycle plastic, collaborate in the workshop, or test a prototype, they are not only learning design skills — they are learning responsibility, resilience, and empathy. They come to understand that design is not just about creating something new, but about creating something that matters: for people, for communities, and for the planet.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate this first anniversary, I can already see the profound impact the Design Studio has had. Our learners are becoming problem-solvers, leaders, and visionaries. They are confident in sharing their ideas, brave enough to try new things, and compassionate enough to design with others in mind.
At Fairgreen, education extends far beyond the classroom. For me, the Design Studio is proof of what happens when students are given the tools, the space, and the belief that their ideas can change the world. And from what I see every day, I know they will.