The design enables the school to change and meet new health standards and safety needs with flexible units, natural air ventilation, moveable elements, foldable walls and diverse breakout spaces, all part of the design proposal to prepare a school for the unexpected.
Instead of gathering all students in one compact building block, the new Markham Lower School distributes learners to utilise the space effectively. The design promotes the flexible use of the spaces and creates multipurpose areas and connections that support a continuous movement across the school. The design supports children combining activities when studying a subject.
Sustainability is one of the cornerstones for our design strategy. We are building with a nearly zero-energy and a net-zero carbon footprint while integrating local, reused or recycled materials. The building is designed for natural cross ventilation that will provide 100% fresh air without any recirculation.
The school building is constructed with a thick external barrier along the campus borders to shield it from city traffic. Internally, the three story-building embraces the green heart of the school. With a façade composed of balconies, vertical gardens, a learning bridge and small courtyards, the building creates a diverse inner space and gives all students easy access to outdoor learning.
"We understand this new school as a landscape project. It is architecture based on the topography, natural materials and the Peruvian culture in relation to the landscape
Andrades.Shaded outdoor patios, vertical gardens and inner courtyards create a climate-friendly learning landscape with a strong sense of connection between nature and learning. Sustainable solutions and lots of greenery blends the boundaries of indoor and outdoor learning