Primary School in Jerusalén de Miñaro
Architecture team: Marta Maccaglia, Martina Uda, Giuliana Miglierina Gonzalo Diaz Arrieta (Architecture), Marta Anducas Armengou (Cultural mediator and logistics), Tom Lange, Roberto Ortiz, Simone Wick (Interinstitucional mediator - VSP Generaciones) Pamela Amadio,
Raffaela Ceparano, Matteo Penzo, Ilaria Pinto (Construction management - CPS Comunità Promozione e
Sviluppo).
The construction consists of four blocks: three classroom blocks and a multipurpose block. The three classroom blocks located at the southern end of the lot are longitudinally oriented, that is, facing north and south.
The vegetation and trees found on the lot are integrated with and form part of the design. In the multipurpose block, for example, a tree marks the school’s main entryway but is also part of the inner space.
On the north side, a row of trees line the blocks’ facades, resulting in indirect sunlight and shade for the connecting hallways. The skylight system and the large amount of windows provide transpiration and cross ventilation needed. The school has a rainwater collection system.
The plan includes eight classrooms, a multipurpose area with kitchen, two storage rooms, one media lab, and toilets for disabled students and teachers (in addition to the existing toilet blocks). The classrooms are organized into blocks, which have large covered patios suitable as both teaching and recreational spaces.
The building is connected by a covered path, planned for use as a meeting and functional space, making it an extension of the plan.
The playgrounds are completely intermixed with the educational spaces: the brick walls turn into climbing grills; the separation elements in secret places for the hide and seek game; the windows in chairs; the swings part of the class rooms. Moreover there is a “imaginative” bamboo playground built trough an international workshop (Parquebambú).