School Island

School Island

Schools are typically fenced compounds designed to provide a controlled safe environment within which students can interact in. Within an urban mass, this proves to be a challenge, as the number of openings and proximity of buildings to each other do not easily facilitate the demarcation. Within the compound, the need for large volumes to house functions such as an auditorium, lecture theaters and assembly areas are also in contrast with the smaller volumes needed for classrooms.

The architectural proposal to amplify school island is to use the smaller volumes to create a break from the urban fabric. They form a “wall”, which creates the demarcation which defines the boundaries of the school within the urban mass. By forming a perimeter, they also define the larger volumes within, and create a focal point that connects all the classrooms.

School island is a paradise for children, a safe compound within which youth and exuberance can unfold.