Concepts for transforming typical Soviet schools. Type H school
On the initiative of Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development and Minister of Digital Transformation, the team of the Ministry of Education and Science has launched fundamental transformations in the education sector, from kindergartens to higher education institutions.
To launch systemic changes in the secondary school infrastructure, the Big City Lab team partnered with the Rebuild the Wonderful NGO, which includes Do Architects (Lithuania), Kavakava (Estonia), and Archikon (Hungary), architectural bureaus that have developed architectural solutions for transforming typical schools in their countries. Ukrainian architects from Oksa, Pecker and Partners, and Kumeiko Architects architectural bureaus created the designs to meet Ukrainian state building codes.
The project was funded by the Mariupol Reborn NGO, DTEK and Metinvest.
While working on the Mariupol 2040 vision, we discovered that 72% of all schools in the city are 5 architectural building types. A similar situation can be observed in other cities. If we look at the schools destroyed by the war, we see that one-third of them are the same five building types across Ukraine. Thus, five projects are enough for the government to rebuild or reconstruct thousands of schools to a high standard.
That is why we have developed 5 transformation concepts that answer what build back better means.
The H-type school consists of two wings with a connecting link between them. The front wing has 2 floors, while the back wing has 4 floors. Thanks to the proportional wings and the regular shape of the building, it is easy to design new interior spaces within the school. The H-shape of the building naturally creates a front and back courtyard.
The pilot school is located in the Dnipro region. The main goal of the transformation is to create a public square in front of the school entrance, so that it becomes the central point of attraction for a small residential area. The square could be used for commercial purposes, like holidays or city fairs. As a result, the school will become more visible to the city's residents and safer.
By now, complete design and estimate documentation have been developed.
The new proposal enhances all the existing features of the building. The main entrance has been relocated to a new location to open onto the public square in the front courtyard. The lobby is designed with a new metal and glass superstructure that matches the height of the connecting section between the two wings. This transformation creates a more open and lively front courtyard, as well as a quiet rear courtyard with existing trees and private terraces for kindergarten classes.
In front of the main entrance is a public square that can be actively used, for example, for fairs. A steel canopy accentuates the entrance facade.
A cosy courtyard in front of the school connects the blocks into a single structure where children will spend their free time. Outdoor events, fairs and meetings will be held here. The building is easily accessible via a staircase terrace.
ВІЗУАЛ
On the second floor of the extension leading to the open library, a large amphitheatre has been formed. It will be used for school-wide activities, performances and events of all sizes. The glass facade creates a special atmosphere that inspires cooperation, discussion, relaxation, and creativity.
The corridors are one of the main spaces where children rest during breaks or study during non-formal lessons. It provides open areas for socialising and playing, and closed spaces for individual work and group learning. It is also the main place for storing children's belongings in lockers.
The most significant change in the school is the increase in the number of common spaces that bring the community together and foster closer ties. By repositioning the main entrance at the heart of the school, a common multifunctional space is created that combines the functions of a primary school: work, rest, entertainment, and play.
Main transformations:
A new transparent volume was added in the entrance area, where students can socialise, spend free time, attend dance lessons, and parents can wait for their children. This space can be divided by modular partitions from the side entrances to serve as the main event hall, and the audience will watch events, dance performances and other school celebrations from the amphitheatre seats.
The multifunctional space extends into the dining room, thus combining the main and most active areas of the school into a single space to bring students together in one central location. By changing the arrangement of furniture in the dining room, it can also function as an extension of the multifunctional space for larger gatherings.
The amphitheatre, which serves as the school's central gathering point and heart, leads to the second-floor learning centre/library in the central part of the building. This area offers open and more secluded spaces for leisure and study, providing a tranquil environment for literary pursuits.
There is a quiet, enclosed media/audio room.
Glass partitions replace solid walls, allowing teachers and other school staff to be visible and build a connection between the principal and students.
Rooms for teachers and students are located close to each other to facilitate collaboration between groups with different interests. Both teachers‘ and students’ rooms can be divided into two sections: one for meetings and idea generation, and the other for a quieter area with a mini-cafе for breaks. Creating such dual spaces promotes a sense of equality within the community.
The furniture in the classroom can be arranged in a non-classical way: in a circle, in a single row or as separate desks.
Corridors are designed for both active leisure (with niches and mobile furniture) and for quiet work after school or preparation for lessons (with small closed cabinets). They also serve as a storage area for outerwear and personal belongings, which students put in lockers.
For easy access to all floors, a lift was designed in the left wing of the building.
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