School Floating in the Sky // D Environmental Design System Laboratory

Thailand

Architizer Editors

2015 A+Awards Jury Winner
Educational > Kindergartens

Project Status: Built

Year: 2013

Size: 0 sqft – 1000 sqft

Budget: 10K – 50K

Text description provided by the architects.

This school aims to help alleviate poverty in Shangkhaburi village, Thailand, located near the border of Myanmar. There are a lot of immigrants and orphans in this area. They are so poor that they cannot raise their children themselves. Wanting to provide a good future for these kids, we hoped that the school would be designed as the realization of their dreams.

© D Environmental Design System Laboratory

So, at first the teacher asked the children to draw the dream of the school building. One of them drew a flying ship. We adapted his idea, and translated his drawing into the architectural design. The image was adapted into two main architectural components: the round, earthbag volumes on the ground and the other, a light steel structure finished with bamboo and a grass roof.

The earthbag domes are thought of as a “launching pad” that supplies the ship with the energy of Mother Earth and the upper steel building as the ship that is soaring in the sky.

The round volumes create a warm interior, fostering a sense of comfort for the children in prayer dome and classroom of earth.

The floating level above functions as a buddhist room and learning area. A gentle breeze flows through the thatched roof, giving the feeling of being in a ship. The upper floor connects to the lower earthbag domes through two openings.Since its completion, the school has become a successful place for the community to enjoy studying, playing, and praying everyday.

The interpretation of their dreams into architectural form establishes a foundation to help lead the children to a bright future.■ DimensionsSite area: 20080.70m2 /Building area: 125.10m2 /Total floor area: 104.60m2 (1st floor area 41.80m2, 2nd floor area 62.80m2).