Wuzhou Elementary School is a public primary school located in central Shenzhen, designed by People’s Architecture Office (PAO) to support contemporary educational models that emphasize creativity, exploration, and experiential learning. The project responds to Shenzhen’s broader transition from an industrial economy to one oriented toward innovation by reconsidering how architectural space can support evolving modes of education.

The school is conceived as a three-dimensional ‘Learning Landscape,’ replacing conventional classroom-and-corridor arrangements with a continuous field of varied spatial conditions. Learning environments are organized as interconnected zones that support different forms of interaction, movement, and engagement. This spatial flexibility encourages student-centered learning while allowing the school to adapt over time as pedagogical needs change.

Interior and exterior learning environments are treated as equally important components of the educational experience. Covered outdoor areas, occupiable architectural elements, and classrooms that open directly to exterior spaces reduce the separation between indoors and outdoors. These conditions support learning beyond the desk, enabling hands-on activities and engagement with natural elements.

all images by Yumeng Zhu

People’s Architecture Office focuses on movement and flexibility

The design team at People’s Architecture Office (PAO) organizes the Learning Landscape around three primary spatial elements: the Mountain, the Valley, and the Beach. Located in the main courtyard, the Mountain houses the school’s theater and cafeteria. Its stepped exterior provides vertical circulation and seating, while a raised platform at its base functions as a stage for performances and events. The Valley, designed at a smaller scale for younger students, features terraced steps descending toward a central mound, creating seating for informal gatherings and group activities. Adjacent to the Valley, the Beach is composed of gently contoured terrain that supports physical play and motor development for younger children.

Large interstitial spaces distributed throughout the school facilitate cross-disciplinary learning, collaboration, and informal interaction. Additional terraced areas, including the green roof, library, and sports facilities, are connected across multiple levels, reinforcing visual and physical continuity throughout the campus.

Vegetation is integrated across the project to address Shenzhen’s tropical climate. Planted areas contribute to passive cooling, help filter air pollution, and reduce noise from surrounding streets. These landscapes also form part of the learning environment, allowing students to engage with plant care and environmental processes. At the urban scale, the school is conceived as an extension of the large public park located to the north, while its greenery contributes to mitigating the urban heat island effect generated by adjacent commercial development.

Wuzhou Elementary School is a public primary school located in central Shenzhen

the school supports contemporary educational models based on creativity and exploration

the campus is conceived as a three-dimensional ‘Learning Landscape’

interior and exterior environments are treated as equally important learning areas

classrooms open directly to outdoor spaces, reducing the boundary between inside and outside

covered outdoor areas support hands-on learning and informal activities

stepped surfaces provide seating, circulation, and performance areas

terraced elements connect the library, green roof, and sports facilities across levels

large interstitial spaces support collaboration and cross-disciplinary learning

vegetation is integrated throughout the school to support passive cooling

architecture is used as a tool to support evolving modes of learning

the school, developed by People’s Architecture Office (PAO), connects to the adjacent public park

project info:

name: Wuzhou Elementary School

architect: People’s Architecture Office (PAO) | @peoplesarchitecture

location: Shenzhen, China

photographer: Yumeng Zhu

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Narxoz University Business School in Almaty, Kazakhstan, repurposes a former Soviet-era campus building into a contemporary facility for executive education. The project, designed by AGP Architects – Astana Grazhdan Proekt, adapts an existing structure from 1978, introducing new spatial and structural systems while restoring key architectural features, most notably the original sawtooth roof. Through selective demolition, structural reinforcement, and targeted additions, the building is redefined as an independent academic and public environment within the university campus.

The original building had served multiple functions over time, including administrative offices and a cafeteria. A rooftop extension added in the early 2000s altered the building’s proportions and obscured the sawtooth roof, resulting in a visually heavy form that lacked a clear architectural identity. The renovation brief extended beyond functional upgrading, aiming to establish a distinct institutional presence suitable for professional education, exchange, and public engagement.

all images by Damir Otegen

campus Structural Reconfiguration and a New Circulation Core

Working within the constraints of the existing structure required careful attention to height limitations, load-bearing capacity, and seismic regulations. Structural assessments identified non-compliance in the added upper floor, necessitating its removal. This process revealed the concealed sawtooth roof, which was subsequently identified through archival research and on-site analysis as a defining feature of the original design. The dismantled level was reconstructed using a new structural system that allowed the sawtooth profile to be preserved and reinterpreted as a central architectural element.

The design team at AGP Architects – Astana Grazhdan Proekt introduced a new attached entrance volume to clarify circulation and provide a visible point of access. This addition contains the main entrance, reception, a double-height lobby, and a panoramic elevator, functioning as a spatial connector and communication hub. The transparent volume establishes a clear relationship between interior activity and the campus environment, reinforcing the building’s public character.

Interior spaces are organized across multiple levels, combining classrooms equipped for executive education with coworking areas, informal meeting spaces, coffee points, and video production facilities. In the basement, former storage areas were converted into flexible halls for events and exhibitions. These spaces receive natural light through full-height glazing and a horizontal skylight integrated into the terrace above.

Reinterpreting Architectural Heritage Through Material Unity

Material continuity is used to unify existing and new elements. Standing-seam metal panels extend from the roof to the facade, accentuating the rhythm of the sawtooth geometry and providing a consistent contemporary envelope. A restrained palette of grey and white maintains visual continuity with surrounding campus buildings while avoiding direct replication.

Through the restoration and reinterpretation of a previously obscured architectural feature, the project transforms an underutilized campus structure into a flexible educational and public platform. The intervention by AGP Architects – Astana Grazhdan Proekt establishes a clear connection between the building’s historical layers and Narxoz University’s evolving academic and cultural role.

a restrained palette of grey and white tones maintains a visual dialogue with the main university buildings

the rebuilt upper level preserves the sawtooth profile using a new structural system

the new building houses the main entrance, reception area, double-height lobby, and panoramic elevator

newly introduced skylights bring daylight into the interior spaces

standing-seam metal panels transition from roof to facade, ensuring volumetric continuity

the skylight defines a naturally lit circulation and study area

light becomes part of the architectural form, shaping the space through ceiling geometry and integrated fixtures

the space is organized as a flexible hall defined by structural clarity and natural light

the project connects the building’s architectural history with its new academic role

modular acoustic booths are integrated into the open interior for focused work and private communication

the project transforms the interior into a contemporary student-oriented environment

calm material choices create a balanced environment supporting focus

project info:

name: Narxoz University Business School
architect: AGP Architects – Astana Grazhdan Proekt

design team: Kanashkova Svetlana, Zhunusov Madi, Shevchenko Aleksandr, Kapenov Askar

location: Almaty, Kazakhstan

photographer: Damir Otegen

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Simone Veil school group stands in Tremblay-en-France, on the edge of a quiet residential neighborhood, as a new learning center designed by French practice Le Penhuel & Associés. Built for kindergarten and elementary students, the project replaces an earlier leisure-center model with an arrangement of classrooms, gathering spaces, and outdoor areas.

From the street, the school presents a low profile. Load-bearing stone facades define volumes that feel settled within their context, their pale surfaces punctuated by deep-set wooden openings. The massing reads as a series of connected forms rather than a single block. This eases the transition between the surrounding homes and the civic program that includes eight classrooms, shared facilities, and a rooftop sports field.

images © Vladimir de Mollerat du Jeu

architecture by Le Penhuel & Associés

The architects at Le Penhuel & Associés shape the Simone Veil school building with two intersecting axes. A north-south lobby forms the heart of the building and extends from the entrance toward the playground. This interior street acts as a lived space rather than just a corridor, with alcoves carved into its edges that support reading and small group work. 

Meanwhile, the east-west classroom street organizes the teaching areas. Each classroom opens from a small vestibule that softens the threshold from the corridor. Patios introduce daylight and fresh air, and an interior play area at the crossing of the two routes can be used throughout the day, from early-morning arrivals to after-school activities.

the Simone Veil school opens in a quiet residential neighborhood in Tremblay-en-France

inside the luminous timber school

Teaching spaces within Le Penhuel & Associés’ Simone Veil school benefit from dual orientations for ever-shifting atmospheres. To the north, light enters through patios and washes over shared timber-built zones between paired classrooms, where scale and material encourage quieter activities while, to the south, larger windows face the playground.

Each classroom extends toward a shaded exterior zone that mediates between inside and out. These covered areas support fluid circulation and play. The playground itself stretches along the southern edge of the site beneath a line of trees.

Material decisions play a central role in the project’s character. Stone quarried in Bonneuil-en-Valois, less than sixty kilometers (37 miles) from the site, forms the structural envelope and provides thermal mass that moderates interior temperatures. Inside, the timber structure is expressed throughout, and is paired with earthen bricks placed between classrooms to reinforce a tactile, legible construction.

stone and timber volumes create a calm civic presence at street level

a rooftop playing field is open to the neighborhood

a central lobby functions as an ‘interior street’ for students and staff

classrooms receive daylight from patios and the playground

carved alcoves support reading and small group work

material choices emphasize local stone and visible wood construction

environmental strategies are integrated into the building fabric

project info:

name: Simone Veil school group

architect: Le Penhuel & Associés | @lepenhuel_associes

location: Tremblay-en-France, France

photography: © Vladimir de Mollerat du Jeu | @vladimirdmdj

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Sabbath as Resistance is a student center proposal for Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts, developed by Yena Jung as an architectural exploration of rest as a spatial and cultural condition. The project draws on theological scholarship by Walter Brueggemann, particularly his book Sabbath as Resistance, which frames rest as a countercultural practice that interrupts systems of constant productivity, consumption, and efficiency.

Brueggemann characterizes Sabbath as both resistance and alternative: a disruption of economic and social structures that prioritize output over presence. Within this framework, rest is understood not as leisure or escape, but as a deliberate suspension of continuous labor and performance. The project translates this conceptual position into architectural form, using space, material, and sequence to support moments of pause, reflection, and communal presence.

The design positions art and architecture as practices aligned with Sabbath principles. Like Sabbath, artistic production resists strict quantification and optimization, creating space for contemplation, slowness, and non-instrumental experience. In this context, architecture is treated not as a tool for maximizing efficiency, but as a medium for shaping alternative rhythms of use and occupation.

Gordon College and student center site plan | all images courtesy of Yena Jung

A Campus Retreat Shaped by Collective and Shared Rest

The proposed student center is located near Coy Pond within Gordon College’s wooded campus landscape. The site’s proximity to water, trees, and pedestrian paths informed the project’s emphasis on withdrawal from academic intensity and reorientation toward rest. The building is organized to support both solitary and collective activities, accommodating quiet reflection as well as informal gathering.

Spatially, the project balances enclosed rooms designed for silence and individual recalibration with more open areas intended for shared use and social connection. This duality reflects the understanding of rest as both personal and communal. Material contrasts are used to reinforce these conditions, differentiating spaces intended for retreat from those intended for interaction. The approach to the building is designed as a gradual transition, allowing movement through the landscape to function as a preparatory sequence. The path leading to the center establishes a spatial and psychological shift from productivity-oriented campus routines toward a slower, more reflective mode of engagement.

Overall, Sabbath as Resistance: A Student Center at Gordon College positions architecture as a framework for reconsidering contemporary relationships to work, time, and rest. In a world that profits from exhaustion, for the designer Yena Jung, choosing to rest is a rebellious act, one that allows us to recover presence, intention, and the possibility of genuine human flourishing.

Sabbath as Resistance proposes a student center that frames rest as a spatial condition

space, material, and sequence support moments of pause and reflection

floor plans

rest is framed as a deliberate spatial practice rather than inactivity

project info:

name: Sabbath as Resistance: A Student Center at Gordon College
architect: Yena Jung

location: Wenham, Massachusetts, US

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Poppins Nursery School Karuizawa Kazakoshi, designed by NIKKEN SEKKEI, is a single-story wooden nursery school in Japan. Located in a highland resort area of Karuizawa, near Lake Shiozawa and Kazakoshi Park, the structure overlooks Mount Asama. The building is positioned diagonally at the center of the site to naturally separate the south-facing playground from the north-facing parking area, making use of the site’s existing slope and minimizing the need for new barriers along the western retaining wall.

The project is defined by two leaf-shaped roofs of different heights. Childcare rooms are placed beneath the lower roof, while the higher roof covers the hall and staff facilities. The floor plan is designed so that all childcare rooms face the outdoor garden, and the hall functions as the central gathering space where children engage in group activities. Large windows introduce daylight and provide views of the surrounding landscape throughout the year.

Spatial divisions rely on wooden columns rather than enclosed walls, creating a continuous interior environment that supports movement and visual connection across age groups. The six nursery rooms, grouped into zones for ages 0-2 and 3-5, feature lower ceiling heights and a smaller spatial scale suited to young children. Each room connects to the hall through column-defined openings, allowing for gradual transitions between spaces and enabling interaction between different age groups.

all images by Norihito Yamauchi

NIKKEN SEKKEI employs Timber framework and Dual Roof Planes

The design team at NIKKEN SEKKEI opts for material and environmental strategies that emphasize wood as the primary interior finish. This approach aims to create a unified atmosphere across childcare rooms, circulation zones, and the hall. High-side windows located between the two roofs supply natural light and support gravity-based ventilation during mild seasons, reducing dependency on artificial lighting and mechanical cooling.

Structurally, the project employs two simple, untwisted roof planes cut into organic, leaf-like geometries that taper toward the eaves. These roof surfaces were constructed using standard laminated timber without special curved components. Columns are slightly angled along the curve of the plan so that their intersections with beams remain nearly vertical, allowing the use of common connection hardware and reducing the need for custom structural fittings. Double timber columns (120 × 240 mm European red pine) are arranged at regular 1,820 mm intervals, corresponding to plywood module dimensions and creating a rhythmic structural grid reminiscent of loosely defined forest-like zones.

By standardizing short-span joint details and optimizing material use, the project maintains a clear structural expression while remaining efficient to construct within a limited schedule and budget. The spatial volume beneath the high roof accommodates the hall, kitchen, and staff areas, while mechanical equipment is placed in the ceiling space under the low roof to maximize usable interior area.

a leaf-shaped roof defines the low, child-scaled volumes of the nursery

the building sits on a highland site overlooking Mount Asama

organic roof geometries taper toward the eaves

wooden columns replace walls to create an open interior flow

large windows bring natural light into the hall

laminated timber is used to form the untwisted roof planes

column-defined openings allow gentle transitions between spaces

wood surfaces unify the childcare rooms and circulation areas

double timber columns create a rhythm across the interior grid

all childcare rooms face the outdoor garden

nursery rooms are divided into zones for ages 0-2 and 3-5

structural spacing corresponds to standard plywood module dimensions

mechanical equipment is placed beneath the low roof to maximize space efficiency

high-side windows between the two roof levels channel light in and out of the interior

project info:

name: Poppins Nursery School Karuizawa Kazakoshi
architect: Nikken Sekkei Ltd | @nikkensekkei_global
location: Karuizawa, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

site area: 2699.04 sqm

total floor area: 494.46 sqm

contractor: Seibu Construction Co., Ltd.

photographer: Norihito Yamauchi

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Located in the northern districts of Marseille, France, Les Fabriques is a school complex by Brenac & Gonzalez & Associés designed as a compact, climate-responsive structure built from solid stone. Positioned on a constrained plot within the Littorale urban development zone, the project integrates a nursery school and an elementary school, each with dedicated reception areas, circulation routes, and naturally lit and ventilated classrooms.

The design adopts a vertical strategy that consolidates program elements in order to free ground space for the preschool playground. Additional outdoor areas for the elementary school, like playgrounds, gardens, and educational terraces, are arranged in a stepped configuration rising to the roof. At the request of the City of Marseille, the rooftop accommodates a sports facility that includes half a basketball court, an athletics track, and a tensile mesh structure reminiscent of a catamaran sail. This upper-level program extends the building’s public role by serving as a neighborhood gathering space outside school hours.

stone volumes form the school’s compact urban massing | all images by Sergio Grazia unless stated otherwise

Thick Stone facade and Terraced Volumes Form School Landscape

BGA’s design team defines the complex as a ‘landscape building,’ composed of interlocking mineral volumes that follow the site’s topography. The massing generates sheltered interstitial spaces used as open-air classrooms, performance areas, and gardens. These spaces contribute to climatic comfort while supporting biodiversity, including bird habitats. The overall morphology responds to local environmental conditions, like strong mistral winds, high solar exposure, and recurrent heatwaves, by creating a sequence of protected, navigable zones throughout the school.

The building envelope is constructed from solid stone sourced from the Beaulieu quarry. Blocks measuring 20 to 45 cm thick provide thermal inertia and long-term durability. Deep overhangs and the stone’s material density moderate heat gain, stabilizing interior temperatures across classrooms and corridors. Stone and concrete are used together as a hybrid structural system, balancing mass with structural efficiency.

tiered outdoor terraces connect learning spaces across levels

Daily Function and Public Access organize School’s Spatial layout

Attention to daily use is reflected in design details such as a continuous line of coat hooks inspired by Osvaldo Cavandoli, which introduces a clear and legible orientation device for children. Circulation is organized to support calm movement and supervision within the school, addressing both functional and safety requirements in this part of the city. Brenac & Gonzalez & Associes’ project was carried out in close coordination with Euroméditerranée and the City of Marseille, who supported program adjustments, including the integration of the rooftop sports facility, and facilitated experimentation with construction methods. The building also participates in the city’s ‘À nous les toits’ initiative, allowing use by local associations and residents outside school hours.

Les Fabriques demonstrates how solid stone construction, compact massing, and tiered outdoor spaces can be combined to achieve climatic resilience within dense urban conditions. The project establishes a protective and adaptable environment for education while contributing a durable architectural presence to Marseille’s northern districts.

deep overhangs in solid stone provide passive solar protection

the preschool playground occupies the site’s open central area

interlocking blocks create sheltered courtyards and passageways

stone facades emphasize durability and thermal inertia

the stone cores were reused in the construction of the wall

Les Fabriques’ solid stone construction and tiered outdoor spaces achieve climatic resilience

project info:

name: Les Fabriques

architect: Brenac & Gonzalez & Associés | @brenacgonzalezassocies

area: 3575 sqm

location: Marseille, France

project architect: Jean-Pierre Lévêque

project managers: Julien Gonin and Arnaud Ladauge

landscape design: MOZ Landscape

client: Euroméditerranée – Établissement Public d’Aménagement – Marseille

engineering: ACV/AGS (VRD) / ALTO (Electrical Engineering, Fluids & Climate Engineering, Environmental Engineering) / Bollingher&Grohmann (Structure) / ENVISOL (Pollution Control)/ – F BOUGON (Eco)

construction: Eiffage

stonework: PROROCH

photographer: Sergio Grazia | @sergio.grazia, Stefan Tuchila | @stefan.tuchila

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Ghiotto is a boccia ramp designed to support social interaction among children with and without disabilities in school environments. Developed by Diego Reggiani as a university project within a design laboratory at Politecnico di Milano, it was selected for the shortlist of the iF Design Student Award. Rooted in the principles of universal design, the project addresses a crucial challenge: enabling children who use wheelchairs to build meaningful relationships from a young age. Play is a simple, powerful tool for fostering early inclusion and counteracting the isolation that many disabled adults still face. In addition to its social impact, the ramp also supports the development of both fine and gross motor skills through play and sport, offering functional benefits that extend into everyday life.

Ghiotto introduces several innovations tailored specifically to young users. Unlike professional ramps, which are heavy, technical, and limited to height adjustment, the project features a simple and intuitive mechanism. A pivot pin and a set of cuts in the structure allow the ramp to be tilted easily, giving children more control and engagement in the game. To enhance usability, the ramp includes a built-in area for organizing and storing the boccia balls before and after the game, keeping everything tidy and within reach. This functional clarity is reinforced by careful dimensional development: anthropometric data of both wheelchair users and non-disabled children were used to ensure an accessible, comfortable, and intuitive experience for all. The resulting gestures are simple and inclusive, encouraging shared play without barriers.

all images courtesy of Diego Reggiani

Six-Position adaptable Ramp Turns Boccia Ramp Into Creative Tool

Since boccia is inherently a simple and accessible game, Ghiotto can be used in a wide variety of ways. The core action, rolling a ball, is easy to grasp, and the product’s design encourages imagination and exploration. In this way, the ramp becomes a versatile and playful tool where only the user’s creativity defines its limits. One of the ramp’s most distinctive features is its ability to adjust the launch speed by changing the angle of the tube. This mechanism is intentionally straightforward: a pivot pin at the front of the ramp interacts with a notched groove on the upper part of the arch, allowing the ramp to be set into six different positions, covering a total inclination range of 35 degrees.

The tube is perforated laterally to accommodate conical-head screws fastened into threaded inserts, reinforced by a locking nut that prevents loosening over time. From a construction perspective, Ghiotto, developed by designer Diego Reggiani, uses different types of joints tailored to the function and position of each part. To connect the arch to the base, a mortise and tenon joint is employed, providing structural rigidity without increasing production costs. To secure the side panels that hold the boccia balls, a different approach is used. Inspired by furniture assembly systems, a combination of wooden dowels and screws is adopted. These are fixed from above using a special locking bolt, ensuring horizontal stability. In conclusion, Ghiotto transforms play into an inclusive, intuitive, and enduring experience for everyone.

Ghiotto is a boccia ramp designed to support inclusive play in school environments

the project was developed by Diego Reggiani at Politecnico di Milano

the design applies universal design principles to foster early social interaction

the ramp enables children who use wheelchairs to participate equally in play

inclusive play helps counteract isolation that many disabled people experience

Ghiotto supports both fine and gross motor skill development through sport

a simple pivot mechanism allows children to tilt the ramp easily

launch speed can be adjusted by changing the angle of the tube

the pivot pin and notched groove allow six ramp positions across a 35° range

an integrated storage area organizes boccia balls before and after play

project info:

name: Ghiotto
designer: Diego Reggiani

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Vo Trong Nghia Architects – VTN has completed Nuoc Ui School in Tra Mai commune, Nam Tra My district, a remote mountainous region in Central Vietnam. The project provides an educational facility for an ethnic minority community living across steep terrain and a climate characterized by frequent storms and heavy rainfall. Funded primarily by the Midas Foundation, with windows and doors sponsored by Tostem, the school is conceived as a durable and locally adapted structure. The design prioritizes the preservation of the existing landscape and establishes a clear relationship between the built environment and the surrounding forested mountains. Classrooms and supporting buildings are arranged to open toward these natural views, while a central courtyard is oriented to overlook the valley. The architectural layout emphasizes openness, natural light, and environmental responsiveness.

Built from rammed earth and bamboo, the project embraces local materials and the surrounding forested landscape, opening its classrooms toward sweeping valley views. Simple yet robust, the architecture forms a sheltered courtyard and a semi-indoor playground that support learning in all seasons. With passive ventilation, deep eaves, and a layout shaped by nature, the school stands as a quiet but powerful response to place, a modest structure with an enduring spirit.

all images by Trieu Chien

Nuoc Ui School Establishes Nature-Connected Educational Space

Architectural practice Vo Trong Nghia Architects – VTN positions locally sourced materials at the foundation of the school project. Rammed earth walls and bamboo roofing reduce transportation demands and environmental impact while maintaining a direct connection to regional building traditions. These materials also support the structural requirements of the sloped site and provide resilience against heavy rainfall. Deep roof eaves are incorporated to protect the earthen walls and extend the building’s lifespan. The school is organized around an internal courtyard, with classrooms connected to a forecourt through a semi-indoor playground. This arrangement forms a continuous sequence of spaces for learning, play, and group activities. The semi-indoor playground, located between two classrooms, offers a sheltered play area that remains usable during rainy periods.

Large, symmetrically placed windows provide natural ventilation and daylighting, reducing reliance on mechanical systems. Combined with buffer zones such as covered corridors and deep eaves, the ventilation strategy helps maintain a stable indoor environment suited to the region’s humid tropical climate. These transitional spaces also function as areas for informal activities and interaction. Nuoc Ui School presents an architectural approach grounded in local materials, climatic conditions, and community needs. Its modest scale and clear structural system support long-term durability, while its arrangement of interconnected indoor and outdoor spaces establishes a learning environment closely aligned with its natural context.

Nuoc Ui School sits within a remote mountainous region of Central Vietnam

the school is designed to withstand frequent storms and heavy rainfall

classrooms open toward surrounding forested mountains

rammed earth and bamboo define the project’s material approach

a central courtyard is oriented to capture expansive valley views

deep eaves protect earthen walls from rain and extend the structure’s lifespan

local materials reduce environmental impact and support regional building traditions

large, symmetrical windows provide daylight and natural ventilation

the design responds directly to the region’s humid tropical climate

project info:

name: Nuoc Ui School
architects: Vo Trong Nghia Architects VTN | @vtnarchitects_votrongnghia

lead architect: Vo Trong Nghia

location: Nam Tra My, Quang Nam, Vietnam

area: 295.5 sqm

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Studio DERA has repurposed a former school swimming pool into a sustainable multi-purpose learning and wellbeing space for Waltham Forest College in London. With the college rapidly expanding its student body, finding new ways to accommodate educational and extracurricular needs was a priority. Studio DERA had already run a sustainable materials workshop for WFC students, while building a hempcrete and timber community center and nursery in nearby Higham Hill. College Principal & CEO Janet Gardner, invited Studio DERA directors Max Dewdney and Marcel Rahm to reimagine the long disused swimming pool site and do a feasibility study. The architects decided that retrofitting the original structure and utilising natural materials was the most sustainable and efficient way to transform the space into an attractive and inspiring hub for students and staff. A RIBA Stage 2 Report and a strong design narrative that aligned with the college’s estate strategy resulted in a successful funding bid to the Department for Education.

From the outset, Studio DERA’s work was shaped by ongoing consultations with educators, curriculum leaders, facilities managers, and students. The architects ran a series of workshops and engagement sessions to test spatial strategies, technical requirements, and user priorities. This informed key elements of the final design, including the subdivision of the Pool into zones, the use of biophilic and acoustic elements, and the inclusion of a stage and IT suite. Balancing architectural ambition with operational need, Studio DERA worked closely with the college to coordinate infrastructure upgrades and ensure long-term adaptability and maintainability with the installation of a new renewable energy system. The project was completed in 48 weeks, but fine-tuning continues post-completion, based on real-time user feedback from students and staff. The result is a versatile, welcoming, and light-filled space of 994 sqm.

all images courtesy of Studio DERA

Light, Material, and Adaptability Anchor Pool’s Adaptive Redesign

The Pool has five learning zones, each tailored to support a range of teaching styles and group sizes. A raised stage positioned at the former pool’s deep end creates a focal point for lectures, performances, and assemblies. Beneath it, a new IT room cleverly uses the original pool depth to deliver a high-performance digital learning infrastructure. The original high-level windows were cut down to the external floor level, dramatically increasing the natural light. Studio DERA installed integrated window seating along the old pool concourse, and fixed desks around the perimeter of the former pool tank for study and small group work. To increase thermal performance to meet DfE standards, triple-glazed windows were installed, along with insulation of both external and internal walls, and new insulated pipework. Operational energy use is expected to fall significantly thanks to air source heat pumps, mixed-mode ventilation, and LED lighting.

Material choices were guided by principles of low embodied carbon, durability, and circularity, and include FSC-certified timber, recycled acoustic panels, and low-VOC finishes. ‘We wanted the Pool to be an inspiring and practical space that elevates student learning and staff functionality, and, above all, brings joy. We were really keen to show just what is architecturally possible in the education sector, which is so often sadly under-funded and under-prioritized. Janet Gardner at Waltham Forest College was a visionary leader for this project, and together with our great contractors, we’ve delivered an ambitious, design-led and sustainable hub which puts the user experience front and center,’ shares Max Dewdney, Studio DERA’s director architect.

Studio DERA transforms a disused school swimming pool into a multi-purpose learning space in London

the space is divided into five learning zones to accommodate varied teaching styles and group sizes

the design prioritizes natural materials and low embodied carbon construction methods

retrofitting the original pool structure minimized waste and preserved the site’s existing framework

expanded windows bring daylight deep into the interior, enhancing visibility and comfort

integrated seating along the pool’s former edge encourages informal study and collaboration

a raised stage at the pool’s deep end forms a focal point for lectures, assemblies, and performances

fixed desks line the perimeter, offering flexible spaces for group and individual work

the project features FSC-certified timber, recycled acoustic panels, and low-VOC finishes

the project supports Waltham Forest College’s expanding educational and wellbeing programs

The Pool stands as an example of how adaptive reuse can renew educational architecture sustainably

project info:

name: The Pool
architect: Studio DERA

location: London, UK

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The Himi Shinmachi Daycare Center, designed by Shio Architect Design Office – Ataru Shio, is a new two-story wooden facility located in the center of Himi City, Toyama Prefecture, Japan. The project replaces a nursery that had been in operation for nearly 50 years and was commissioned through a selective tender process aimed at developing high-quality public architecture at a local scale.

The design seeks to create an educational environment that supports early childhood learning while serving as a recognizable civic presence within the community. The building’s placement was determined by the constraints of the site, an elongated plot running north to south, bisected by an existing underground sewer line. To accommodate this condition, the structure is positioned to one side of the pipeline, optimizing both usable space and access to natural light. Constructed using a traditional wooden framework system, the daycare employs locally sourced timber supported by the Forestry Agency’s regional materials subsidy program. This approach not only reinforces the connection to local craftsmanship but also promotes the sustainable use of regional resources.

all images by Satoshi Asakawa

Wooden curved interior promotes safety and Tactile Learning

Given the limited number of sunny days in the Hokuriku region, the design prioritizes natural illumination. Large openings and an open spatial layout allow interior areas to remain bright even under overcast conditions, providing children with a comfortable and active indoor environment. Safety and sensory experience also guided the design: sharp corners are minimized to prevent injuries, and authentic materials such as wood and tile are used throughout, offering children direct tactile contact with natural surfaces from an early age.

The result is a community-centered public building by Shio Architect Design Office, led by architect Ataru Shio, that balances environmental responsiveness, spatial clarity, and material honesty, supporting both early education and the local built culture of Toyama Prefecture.

the Himi Shinmachi Daycare Center is located in the heart of Himi City, Toyama Prefecture

designed by Shio Architect Design Office, the project replaces a 50-year-old nursery

the two-story wooden structure serves as both an educational and civic space

authentic materials like wood and tile create a tactile learning environment

the building’s form responds to the site’s narrow, north–south orientation

the structure is built to optimize daylight and usable space

a traditional wooden framework forms the building’s structural system

locally sourced timber reinforces the connection to regional craftsmanship

the design ensures bright, comfortable interiors throughout the year

the open layout encourages movement and play for young children

children experience natural textures and materials in their daily surroundings

the daycare center embodies environmental responsiveness and material honesty

sharp corners are minimized to enhance safety within active play areas

project info:

name: Himi Shinmachi Daycare Center

architect: shio architect design office – Ataru Shio | @atarushio
location: Himi City, Toyama Prefecture, Japan

floor area: 982.56 sqm

construction/contractor: Higashi Kogyo, Himi Civil Engineering, and Hamai Joint Venture

photographer: Satoshi Asakawa

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