By working in tandem with the local Thomas Chow Architects, the Danish architects, according to the jury, were able to fully implement the main requirements of the competition task - to make the school building as innovative and “green” as possible, thereby clearly demonstrating the principles of sustainable architecture and respect for the environment. The building with a total area of 28 thousand m2 is designed for 1200 students aged 11 to 18 years.
The site where the new school building will appear (the previous one, built in 1967, is supposed to be dismantled), is located on the border of the park and urban development. From here, equally spectacular views open both to the green slopes of the mountains and to the panorama of the embankment. The architects did not want to lose any of them, so the center of the composition of the new building was an open inner square that connected the entrance area and the main public space of the school - a spacious atrium. Due to the relief existing on the site, the plaza and the atrium form a visual corridor that connects the two perspectives into a single whole.
And if the central planning axis of the complex is subordinated to specific characteristics, then its shape is rather dictated by the climate. Developed consoles provide a saving shade and thereby prevent overheating of the interior without the widespread use of air conditioners, and the "sinking" niches on transparent facades act as conductors of daylight.
The school atrium is as green as possible. Numerous elements of vertical landscaping are planned here, as well as gardens laid out on the inner balconies, where the architects intend to plant not only herbs and flowers, but also real trees. In addition to creating a pleasant atmosphere for relaxation and communication, the numerous plants inside the building will help maintain a comfortable microclimate in it.
The classrooms themselves received a universal layout. Thanks to transformable partitions, they are able to quickly change their area and purpose, creating ample opportunities for organizing the educational process. However, this is only the initial concept of the building - after summing up the results of the competition, schmidt hammer lassen architects will begin to finalize the project together with the management of the Island school itself.
