Primary school for 330 children

Tomsk State University of Architecture and Building

Project idea

The project was developed with the idea of rethinking the standard school design and creating a space not just for learning, but also for fun for primary school children. Not every child is eager to go to school, but by creating spaces and environments in which they can have fun and move around the school between lessons, every child will be eager to go to school. Also create logical yet simple spaces with a minimum of corridors that give children a basic understanding of where to go, without the help of adults.

Project description

The idea for the image of the building comes from Siberia itself, where the facility will be located, the wooden facade with semi-circular chamfers creates a calm and flowing impression, the sharp corners on the other hand would create some pressure and roughness, which for children would be pressure. The wide, large windows and the low floor plan with its gentle curve into the road create the impression of openness and movement, something which younger children love.
Each floor has an open, united space, it is not divided into corridors and small halls, it is a hallway in itself. Only the 1st form has its own small space, as these children are just adapting to school life, but they can also go out into the big hall, part of the idea of open space, in which the child can fit in whenever they want.
The ground floor houses the main classrooms as well as the sports hall with the pool and the canteen. The very open-plan lobby ensures that the children do not feel confined and they can play and relax in between lessons, creating an internal micro-climate by adding greenery. A wide open staircase allows access up to 3 floors and a lift makes this easier. There is a large amount of glazing which allows sunlight to enter the building better.
On the 2nd floor there are also classrooms together with extra rooms. The classrooms here are mainly for drawing and painting lessons as well as an assembly room, together with a choreography class. The hall is big, with wide light apertures, it is possible to have a rest alone (or together with classmates at one table), to play. On the same floor the library is located, both for the issuance of training books, and an individual room where you can read.
The 3rd floor contains the classrooms for form 4 and all the main classrooms for teachers, nurses, supervisors and technicians. The first class area is no longer separated. The hallway is not as big, but the floor is the best lit and you can see everything downstairs. It is also possible to go out on the roof and sit there.
The environment is designed around the image of the building and its function, there are several exits, both normal and fire exits. The roof is accessible both from the inside and the courtyard facade via an ascent. Roof exits are located inside the building where children can rest and play. The façade is designed in 2 different ways, the village entrance is flat and linear but the driveway develops dynamically in response to the surrounding landscape and buildings.
The project blends seamlessly into its surroundings, inspired not only by the study of
children's needs and behaviour, but also by the nature of Siberia, specifically the hills and spruces.
The image itself resembles a steep ravine on top of which is a glade lined with Spruces.

Technical information

Structural design of the façade: the spans are either supported by posts or trusses, the shape of the façade was chosen based on observations of the children's behaviour and what they like, so it was decided to have wood cladding, as it looks soothing, and to give the corners a radius, which not only makes the façade dynamic and pleasing to the eye, but also helps deal with the wind loads in the area.
The roof ply is more than 500 mm wide to accommodate green coverings, and there are additional mounds for spruce trees and other plantings on the roof. The slabs are reinforced with 300mm thickness. The construction scheme of the site is simple enough, but there will be difficulties with the implementation in the form of the monolith and the installation of the lantern.