NL Architects designed the school in the form of a one-story building "spread out" over the site, made up of five rectangular volumes: four "arms" are twisted around the central core of the multifunctional hall. In its day-to-day operation, the core functions as a gymnasium, and on special occasions it can host a wide variety of events, from theatrical performances to meetings, ceremonies and festivals. If necessary, it can be connected to the area of the restaurant located in one of the "sleeves"; the rest are home to a primary school, kindergarten and administration. Small kindergartens and playgrounds are set up in the "pockets" between these buildings; the roof overhanging them also creates a vast "intermediate space" of galleries that go around the building along the perimeter. From the side of the elementary school, the space of the central “plaza”, connecting the building with the sports ground, penetrates between the “arms”. From here, under the "spot" of the school, the flexible underground parking zone also "seeps".
The building has a green roof; it also makes the most of natural light: the sun penetrates in through the folds of the roof lawn and special openings on the surface of the sleeves, as well as a patio in the kindergarten wing and a glass “attic” above the central volume of the hall. The facades of the "wings" are completely glazed - through them abundant light also pours into the interiors and offers views of the surrounding fields.
The composition of volumes selected by NL Architects extracts the maximum usable area from the site and creates, according to the authors, an effective and uncomplicated circulation system within the school. The central core is surrounded by a gallery corridor, through which the streams of people are distributed throughout the building. Within its walls, niches of curvilinear shape are arranged: the young population of the school can use these secluded corners in the process of learning or playing. Classrooms are designed to be extremely flexible spaces, with no stationary environment other than wide window sills lining the glazed outdoor galleries: such makeshift seating, architects believe, will contribute to a more informal and interactive learning environment.
N. K.
