Alberto Campo Baeza

For this school building for 700 students, a fish-skeleton outline was developed with a central corridor and classrooms to either side. The common spaces are located at the ends.

The entrance at the head is within a large common vertical space that sews together the length of the building; and contains the primary elements of circulation. This large, unique space connects two double height spaces displaced in section so as to achieve a diagonal volume that is further strengthened by light from on high which crosses it.

The two upper floors contain all the classrooms while the common spaces and teachers’ offices are located on the ground floor.

The criteria of maximum economy with maximum compactness are made compatible with the required program thanks to the maximum flexibility achieved through the strictly ordered structure.  The greatest sobriety is also proposed in the materials and finishes.

The linear scheme results in an elongated building with proportions similar to those of a ship, a “bateau îvre” as the poet would say.