Thai & H'Mong Ethnic Students school
Na Son Ethnic Minority Semi-Boarding Primary and Lower Secondary School is located in Na Son Commune, Dien Bien Province, a mountainous area facing significant economic and social infrastructure challenges. Local residents primarily rely on small-scale agricultural production, and living conditions as well as access to public services remain limited due to the remote terrain and harsh natural environment.
The school currently serves more than 370 students aged 11 to 14, most of whom are from ethnic minority communities such as the H’Mong and Thai. Operating under a semi-boarding model, the campus functions not only as a learning space but also as a living environment for students from Monday to Friday. It plays a crucial role in sustaining access to education in a context where settlements are scattered and transportation is difficult.
The project is part of a long-term school-building initiative, designed as a modular system adaptable to different sites.
The spatial organization follows a linear classroom block with gently sloping roofs and a deep veranda running along the façade. The veranda acts as a climatic buffer, reducing direct solar radiation and wind-driven rain, while also providing a transitional space for activities outside the classroom.
Unplastered earth brick walls are selected as the primary material, expressing material honesty and utilizing locally available construction skills. Exposing materials and structural components helps reduce finishing costs and facilitates maintenance. Natural ventilation and indirect daylighting, combined with ceiling fans and a lightweight ceiling system, ensure a stable microclimate. The project aims to establish a socially and technically sustainable school model. The architecture evolves from local conditions, indigenous skills, and the practical needs of the community.
The Na Son School project is part of the "Just Schools" design series by Scale 50.
