{"id":203842,"date":"2025-07-07T08:01:33","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T12:01:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/architizer.com\/blog\/?p=203842"},"modified":"2025-07-07T13:06:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T17:06:09","slug":"andblack-design-studio-cocoon-pre-primary-extension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/architizer.com\/blog\/inspiration\/stories\/andblack-design-studio-cocoon-pre-primary-extension\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning Curves: A Thin Shell Concrete Structure for the Next Generation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\"><p class=\"p1\"><i>Architizer's <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/awards.architizer.com\/a\/page\/judging\/jury?utm_source=architizer&amp;utm_medium=blog\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>diverse jury of global experts<\/i><\/span><\/a><em> is currently reviewing submissions to<\/em><i> the <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/enter.architizer.com\/?utm_source=architizer&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=nav\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>14th A+Awards<\/i><\/span><\/a><i>! Sign up to <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/awards.architizer.com\/a\/?utm_source=architizer&amp;utm_medium=blog\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>receive updates<\/i><\/span><\/a><i> on Public Voting and spring winner announcements.<\/i><i><\/i><\/p><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the most notable architectural roof structures are those of Felix Candela. Specifically, the hyperbolic paraboloid became the staple of his designs, allowing him to push the boundaries of structural reinforcement and the properties of concrete. The Spanish emigre was obsessed with geometry, structure and concrete experimentation, with the <a href=\"https:\/\/es.wikiarquitectura.com\/edificio\/restaurante-los-manantiales\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Los Manantiales<\/a> restaurant in the Xochimilco area of Mexico City and the <a href=\"https:\/\/es.wikiarquitectura.com\/edificio\/pabellon-de-rayos-cosmicos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cosmic Rays Pavilion<\/a> for the National Autonomous University of Mexico being some of his most renowned designs.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Candela&#8217;s breakthrough was attributed mainly to the unexplored properties of concrete when it followed the logic of the hyperbolic paraboloid. It was a research output that eventually led to many impressive structural designs, where concrete in a dome or shell-like shape became incredibly efficient and resilient, laying the foundations for later advancements in parametric design. Additionally, Candela&#8217;s designs elevated the architectural field in multiple ways. To achieve such outstanding structures, the amount of material costs and site labor required became a point of both innovation and contention, as his thin-shell structures drastically reduced the need for excessive material while demanding precise craftsmanship and specialized on-site labor. At a time when labor was cheap and steel was expensive, he proved that striking, thin concrete can cover a large span of space for as little as 50\u00a2 per square foot, without sticking to the &#8220;standard rules&#8221; of making.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_203849\" style=\"width: 1369px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-203849\" class=\"lazy lazy_media_item wp-image-203849 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Planta_embotelladora_de_Bacardi-Instalaciones_industriales_de_Ludwig_Mies_van_der_Rohe_y_Felix_Candela.jpg\" alt=\"Felix Candela-architizer\" width=\"1359\" height=\"919\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Planta_embotelladora_de_Bacardi-Instalaciones_industriales_de_Ludwig_Mies_van_der_Rohe_y_Felix_Candela.jpg 1359w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Planta_embotelladora_de_Bacardi-Instalaciones_industriales_de_Ludwig_Mies_van_der_Rohe_y_Felix_Candela-300x203.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Planta_embotelladora_de_Bacardi-Instalaciones_industriales_de_Ludwig_Mies_van_der_Rohe_y_Felix_Candela-1024x692.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Planta_embotelladora_de_Bacardi-Instalaciones_industriales_de_Ludwig_Mies_van_der_Rohe_y_Felix_Candela-768x519.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1359px) 100vw, 1359px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-203849\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:HAKEBRY1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HAKEBRY1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Planta_embotelladora_de_Bacard%C3%AD-Instalaciones_industriales_de_Ludwig_Mies_van_der_Rohe_y_F%C3%A9lix_Candela.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Planta embotelladora de Bacard\u00ed-Instalaciones industriales de Ludwig Mies van der Rohe y F\u00e9lix Candela<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/legalcode\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, many years later, <a href=\"https:\/\/architizer.com\/projects\/the-cocoon-3\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the Bloomingdale International School in Vijayawada<\/a> evokes memories of Candela&#8217;s thin concrete structures as it tests the transformative power of parametric architecture, celebrating structural expression and adopting a cost-conscious approach without sacrificing quality or wonder. The remarkable design clinched the Popular Choice Vote for the Architecture +Small Projects category in the <a href=\"https:\/\/awards.architizer.com\/a\/?utm_source=architizer&amp;utm_medium=blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">13th Architizer A+Awards<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The structure essentially follows the site&#8217;s topography, &#8220;becoming a form of the landscape in itself,&#8221; and connecting the new pre-school building with an existing structure and unifying the two under the new roof. It also creates a delightful transition between the inside and the outside, bringing the built form in sync with the landscape and forming visually mediated paths throughout the school campus.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_203844\" style=\"width: 8260px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-203844\" class=\"lazy lazy_media_item wp-image-203844 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468442498106_BIS_andblack_vinay_panjwani.jpg\" alt=\"Cocoon, Pre-primary Extension, Bloomingdale International School-architizer\" width=\"8250\" height=\"5500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468442498106_BIS_andblack_vinay_panjwani.jpg 8250w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468442498106_BIS_andblack_vinay_panjwani-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468442498106_BIS_andblack_vinay_panjwani-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468442498106_BIS_andblack_vinay_panjwani-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468442498106_BIS_andblack_vinay_panjwani-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 8250px) 100vw, 8250px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-203844\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/architizer.com\/projects\/the-cocoon-3\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cocoon, Pre-primary Extension, Bloomingdale International School<\/a> by <a class=\"bluelink js-use-pushstate\" href=\"https:\/\/architizer.com\/firms\/andblack-design-studio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-name=\"firm\">andblack design studio<\/a>, Vijayawada, India | Popular Choice Winner,\u00a0 Architecture +Small Projects, 13th Architizer\u00a0A+Awards<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contrary to Candela&#8217;s dense paper calculations, the roof&#8217;s form has been conceptualized using an array of computational tools that deviate from the traditional geometric form of the hyperbolic paraboloid. Instead, the required curvature has been attained by varying curve heights at pre-calculated junctions. From the inside, the structural core is an impressive sight in itself. Comprised of prefabricated metal sections, the supports were constructed through various techniques that involved directing built-up beams along the X and Y axes, upon which ferrocement was later cast.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To increase its overall tensile strength, ferrocement was integrated with prefabricated metallic circular hollow sections, which provided a striking contrast to the exterior&#8217;s &#8220;green&#8221; surface. Specifically, the curved ferrocement roof was then covered in turf, giving the appearance of a green carpet floating above the raw landscape. Still, the most groundbreaking aspect of such design is its economic conscience. By adopting efficient construction processes and using readily available materials and fabrication methods, the structure is realized at a remarkably low cost without compromising on structural performance or aesthetic impact.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy lazy_media_item alignnone wp-image-203845 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468442504406_Transverse_Section.jpg\" alt=\"Cocoon, Pre-primary Extension, Bloomingdale International School-architizer\" width=\"9888\" height=\"4962\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468442504406_Transverse_Section.jpg 9888w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468442504406_Transverse_Section-300x151.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468442504406_Transverse_Section-1024x514.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468442504406_Transverse_Section-768x385.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468442504406_Transverse_Section-1536x771.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 9888px) 100vw, 9888px\" \/><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_203846\" style=\"width: 10416px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-203846\" class=\"lazy lazy_media_item wp-image-203846 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468443707108_Isometric_Exploded.jpg\" alt=\"Cocoon, Pre-primary Extension, Bloomingdale International School-architizer\" width=\"10406\" height=\"7527\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-203846\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/architizer.com\/projects\/the-cocoon-3\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cocoon, Pre-primary Extension, Bloomingdale International School<\/a> by <a class=\"bluelink js-use-pushstate\" href=\"https:\/\/architizer.com\/firms\/andblack-design-studio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-name=\"firm\">andblack design studio<\/a>, Vijayawada, India | Architecture +Small Projects, 13th Architizer\u00a0A+Awards<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p>This deliberate balance between form, function, and economy not only places the Bloomingdale International School project at the forefront of architectural innovation, but it also pays homage to Candela&#8217;s work, reframing it for the 21st century. Today, constraints such as material or labor (major challenges during Candela&#8217;s time) are redefined through new pressures on climate sensitivity, technology, and an overall need for social awareness. This school provides a playful exploratory environment through the making of a structure that holds \u2014 apart from the actual space \u2014 a strong, participatory narrative.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In parallel, by placing emphasis on sustainability, ferrocement not only enables the desired curvature and lightness in construction but also its relatively low carbon footprint, long lifespan, and easy sourcing elevate the curved roof into a structure with a deeper ecological mindfulness. Additionally, considering the city&#8217;s hot local climate, the added turf adds to the overall building insulation, reducing heat, filtering dust, and promoting passive cooling strategies.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_203847\" style=\"width: 5510px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-203847\" class=\"lazy lazy_media_item wp-image-203847 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468444115510_BIS_andblack_vinay_panjwani.jpg\" alt=\"Cocoon, Pre-primary Extension, Bloomingdale International School-architizer\" width=\"5500\" height=\"8250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468444115510_BIS_andblack_vinay_panjwani.jpg 5500w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468444115510_BIS_andblack_vinay_panjwani-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468444115510_BIS_andblack_vinay_panjwani-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468444115510_BIS_andblack_vinay_panjwani-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/173468444115510_BIS_andblack_vinay_panjwani-1024x1536.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5500px) 100vw, 5500px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-203847\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/architizer.com\/projects\/the-cocoon-3\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cocoon, Pre-primary Extension, Bloomingdale International School<\/a> by <a class=\"bluelink js-use-pushstate\" href=\"https:\/\/architizer.com\/firms\/andblack-design-studio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-name=\"firm\">andblack design studio<\/a>, Vijayawada, India | Popular Choice Winner, Architecture +Small Projects, 13th Architizer A+Awards<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_203850\" style=\"width: 2570px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-203850\" class=\"lazy lazy_media_item wp-image-203850 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pabellon_de_Rayos_Cosmicos_2-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Felix Candela-architizer\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pabellon_de_Rayos_Cosmicos_2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pabellon_de_Rayos_Cosmicos_2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pabellon_de_Rayos_Cosmicos_2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pabellon_de_Rayos_Cosmicos_2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pabellon_de_Rayos_Cosmicos_2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pabellon_de_Rayos_Cosmicos_2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-203850\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:Noahedits\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Noahedits<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pabell%C3%B3n_de_Rayos_C%C3%B3smicos_2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pabell\u00f3n de Rayos C\u00f3smicos 2<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/legalcode\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In truth, the Bloomingdale International School&#8217;s new pre-primary wing revisits the Spanish architects&#8217; revolutionary design ideas and construction methods, not through imitation but rather through reinterpretation. To be more precise, it is this spirit of &#8220;hacking&#8221; the hyperbolic paraboloid \u2014 not as a fixed form but as a flexible system of thinking \u2014 that ultimately elevates the project. It delves into the principles of expressive form, economy, craft, and sustainability, which, when aligned with contemporary tools and contextual awareness, are able to push the boundaries of what architecture can actually achieve &#8211; not only for landmark buildings, but for the everyday environments that shape our earliest experiences.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><p class=\"p1\"><i>Architizer's <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/awards.architizer.com\/a\/page\/judging\/jury?utm_source=architizer&amp;utm_medium=blog\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>diverse jury of global experts<\/i><\/span><\/a><em> is currently reviewing submissions to<\/em><i> the <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/enter.architizer.com\/?utm_source=architizer&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=nav\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>14th A+Awards<\/i><\/span><\/a><i>! Sign up to <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/awards.architizer.com\/a\/?utm_source=architizer&amp;utm_medium=blog\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>receive updates<\/i><\/span><\/a><i> on Public Voting and spring winner announcements.<\/i><i><\/i><\/p><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Featured Image: <em><a href=\"https:\/\/architizer.com\/projects\/the-cocoon-3\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cocoon, Pre-primary Extension, Bloomingdale International School<\/a> by <a class=\"bluelink js-use-pushstate\" href=\"https:\/\/architizer.com\/firms\/andblack-design-studio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-name=\"firm\">andblack design studio<\/a>, Vijayawada, India | Popular Choice Winner, Architecture + Small Projects, 13th Architizer A+Awards<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With ferrocement, parametric logic and passive systems, this turf-roofed school updates Felix Candela&#8217;s legacy for the 21st century.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":370,"featured_media":203927,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"architizer_featured_type":"insert","architizer_featured_image":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,5],"tags":[29185],"architizer_project":[],"architizer_brand":[],"architizer_firm":[],"architizer_product":[],"class_list":["post-203842","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-inspiration","category-stories","tag-aspotlight"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - 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