THE SCHOOL FOR A NEW TOMORROW

Project idea

Stryi is currently facing a complex situation due to the ongoing war tensions affecting the country, which have caused uncertainty, forced displacement, and an urgent need for safe and functional spaces for the community. In this context, our project responds through architecture by proposing a school that not only serves as an educational center for children but also as a workplace and shelter for adults.

Project description

The architectural project is conceived as an integrated response to the educational, social, and economic needs of the community in Stryi, Ukraine. The proposal is divided into two main volumes that function in a complementary manner.

The first building, with two levels, combines productive and educational functions. On the ground floor, there is a store-type space open to the public, designed as a source of self-sustainability for the maintenance of the project. This floor also includes coworking areas that promote collaboration and professional development. On the upper floor, multipurpose classrooms are planned, adaptable to various educational and community activities.

The second building, also two stories high, is located along the property boundary and is intended for formal education at different levels. The ground floor houses classrooms for preschool children, the first floor contains classrooms for secondary school students, and the second floor is designated for high school students. In front of this volume, an open social area with ample green spaces is planned, designed to encourage interaction, play, and the physical and emotional well-being of users.

Both buildings have direct access to a shared basement, conceived as a safe shelter in case of conflict or emergency, thereby reinforcing the project’s role as a resilient refuge. The proposed materiality includes concrete walls for their structural strength and sloped wooden roofs that provide warmth, thermal efficiency, and an architectural image that harmonizes with the surrounding environment.

Technical information

The project is developed from a sober and solid architectural expression, where the tectonics of the materials respond not only to aesthetic criteria but also to functional and protective needs within a context of instability. The main structure is composed of exposed concrete walls, chosen for their high strength, durability, and ability to serve as a physical barrier in the event of conflict or emergency. These load-bearing walls provide stability to the whole and define a closed volumetry toward the exterior, generating a sense of shelter and security.

The sloped wooden roofs contribute a warm and human atmosphere to the interior, in contrast to the rigidity of the concrete. Additionally, their form facilitates rainwater drainage and allows for the controlled use of natural light. Wood, as a renewable and thermally efficient material, improves living conditions in a changing climate.

A key element in the project’s tectonics is the hidden windows, carefully integrated into the walls to maintain a sealed exterior appearance. These openings are designed with passive protection systems, allowing for light and ventilation when needed, yet remaining concealed or reinforced in case of emergency. This strategy strengthens the defensive character of the complex without sacrificing interior spatial quality.

Overall, the tectonic composition of the project balances solidity and habitability, allowing the architecture to serve not only educational and social functions but also to act as a resilient refuge adapted to a context of uncertainty.

Documentation

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