Reconstruction "Three steps forward"

Concept for innovative transformation of the learning environment of 10 School "Teodor Trayanov", Mladost 1, Sofia to a new standart based on the latest architectural and educational trends

Client
10 School "Teodor Trayanov"
Users
Pre-schoolers, students 7-18 y/o, teachers, neighbourhood community
Location
Sofia, Bulgaria
Type
Architectural concept for transformation
Area
New Volumes - 2395 m2
Refurbishment - 1405 m2
Budget
2 658 320 euro
Year
2020

The challenge

Upgrading and reconstructing the existing school so that the environment allows the use of modern pedagogical methods and to set a new standard in the reconstruction of school buildings in Bulgaria. After a detailed study through conversations, observations and interviews with teachers and students the challenge focused further in the following directions:

Rethinking the dining room as a desirable place for eating, talking and learning .

Integrating experiential learning spaces: STEM center and makerspace in the heart of the first floor.

More space for movement, especially for younger children inside or close to their classrooms.

Reorganization of the entrances and flows of parents and children, which are currently intersected and create congestions in the lobby area.

Quote from research

When the children come to the gym, they spend the first 10 minutes running from end to end and just after that they start playing - their need for movement is so great.- 1^st grade teacher

Design solutions

The “Heart”: a multifunctional space where children not only eat, but also communicate, collaborate on different projects, play games, perform and organize exhibitions opens the ground floor. The scene and amphitheatre act as a centerpiece and the makerspace, equipped with 3d printers, sewing machines and all sorts of machinery is visible from the main space through glass walls. The STEM center: a place for new technologies and experiments with robots is situated opposite the makerspace and consists of 3 learning spaces:
- Virtual zSpace STEM Lab
- Practical laboratory
- The student accelerator: a place for movement and rest

Makerspace and amphitheater facing the Heart

A new two-level wing is created for the little ones (preschool and first grade) with a unique design and organization around a living room that creates the feeling of home with its soft furnishings serves both as a core and as an extension of the learning process in the rooms. A key benefit for children is the playroom, a direct result of our research, which is not just a small room, but a place where children can spend their excess energy at any time and move their bodies for better concentration.

An expanded and enriched Sports zone: in addition to increasing the area with another playground and grandstands, the space can be partitioned or divided around a new stage. In this way the school will be able to host not only sports competitions and celebrations, but also rent the hall and stage of the neighborhood community in the evenings, weekends or holidays.