Under palm trees - primary school in rural Mexico

Idea projektu

Site Selection and Purpose of the Building
The selected location is in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, in the village of San Antonio, in the Costa region, municipality of Santa María Tonameca. Analysis revealed that the area lacks a primary school. The nearest one is 3.9 km away, requiring nearly an hour of walking. Due to the absence of sidewalks and safe pedestrian paths, I decided to propose a school in this area.
The school design is based on the building program outlined in Mexican regulations. Primary education in Mexico consists of six grades, requiring six classrooms. Additional mandatory facilities include a kitchen with a dining hall, a library, staff facilities, a playground, and a large gathering space, as well as designated green areas proportional to the number of students. For security reasons, the school complex is enclosed, with a controlled main entrance. The multifunctional playground is located outside the enclosed area to allow the community to use it beyond school hours.

Popis projektu

Urban Planning Solution
The school is located near a local highway. The site was intentionally chosen close to the road, as it is the only paved route in the area, ensuring the best possible accessibility. The school complex is situated at the far end of the plot to minimise classroom exposure to traffic noise. The classrooms are placed in the quietest area, while shared facilities are near the entrance.
The proposal also includes improvements to local traffic infrastructure. Crosswalks in the area are rare, and pedestrians tend to cross anywhere. This is unsafe, especially considering the expected high number of children. The design includes a traffic-calmed zone around the school, reducing the speed limit to 50 km/h. A raised pedestrian crossing is aligned with the main entrance, making it more visible to drivers and safer for pedestrians.
Near the entrance, three "kiss and ride" parking spaces are planned. Only a small percentage of local families own cars, so the number of parking spaces is minimal. Most residents travel by foot, bicycle, or local public transport known as "collectivo"—a larger vehicle with a covered truck bed that travels between major towns, stopping at smaller villages along the way. Colectivos depart only when full, making schedules unpredictable. They stop anywhere upon request. A bus stop is proposed at the school entrance, primarily for colectivos but sized to accommodate long-distance buses, in case a dedicated school bus service is introduced in the future.
The school’s entrance is marked by a brick pathway leading to the main gate. The brick layout defines the entrance space, with only the area immediately in front of the gate being fully paved, while the rest is filled with gravel. The terrain’s natural slope is used to create an amphitheatre-style seating area near the playground. The campus has a secondary entrance oriented toward the playground for easy access during lessons.
Architectural Design
The architectural concept is based on the local climate, traditional construction techniques, and modern educational needs. The focal point is the main administration building, inspired by traditional coastal Mexican architecture. It features a large, steeply pitched palm leaf roof, an eye-catching element that also provides functional benefits. This type of roof is ideal for the region, as palm leaves are highly resistant to moisture, effectively channel rainwater, and can be easily and affordably replaced if damaged.
The main entrance is aligned with the centre of the administration building. This building houses all shared facilities. The main structure is divided into two wings. The western wing contains staff facilities, a meeting room, and the principal’s office, with a visual connection to the entryway, ensuring security. Next to it is the library, which includes a small loft space and restrooms for students and teachers. The eastern wing features a spacious dining hall with kitchen facilities and a workshop for hands-on learning activities.
Opposite the entrance is a gathering space designed as a sunken paved stage with tiered seating. The entrance staircase can also serve as additional covered seating when needed. The central gathering area acts as a focal point for meetings and events.
Across from this gathering area are the classrooms—six in total—arranged in a row with green courtyards between them to enhance cross-ventilation. Each classroom has folding doors, allowing for complete openness and expanded learning spaces. The classrooms are simple rectangular volumes with flat roofs, designed to accommodate photovoltaic panels. They are connected by a covered walkway, ensuring mobility during rainy seasons.
The entire school is enclosed by a perforated brick wall, combined with cactuses, creating a secure boundary while maintaining visual connections with the surroundings.

Technické informace

Construction and Materials
The material selection is based on local climatic conditions. The area has a high risk of hurricanes, tsunamis, and earthquakes. The goal was to create a resilient structure capable of withstanding these natural disasters. Load–bearing structures are from reinforced concrete and not natural materials because of their durability.
All main buildings have reinforced concrete structures. Classroom buildings are entirely made of reinforced concrete, including roofs, to minimize damage and allow for quick post-disaster reuse. Windows and doors are designed as wooden slats, crafted from locally sourced cedar. Classroom floors are made of fired bricks.
The administration building also has a reinforced concrete frame, but with infill brick walls and brick flooring. The roof is made of palm leaves—durable yet easily replaceable when necessary.
Environmental Aspects
The flat roofs of the classrooms provide space for solar panels, allowing for independent electricity generation. Collected rainwater and greywater are filtered through a treatment system and reused for toilet flushing and garden irrigation. Organic waste is composted on-site.
Aside from the reinforced concrete structure, all materials are locally sourced and renewable. Floors and partition walls are made of fired bricks, while wooden structural elements and openings are crafted from locally available woods such as ocote and cedar. Palm leaves are used for the roof, and windows are woven from reeds and bamboo.

Dokumentace

Show PDF 1