andré espinho arquitectura: school center paredes

‘school center paredes’ by andré espinho architectura in alenquer, portugal all images courtesy andré espinho architectura photographer: fernando guerra

‘school center paredes’ by andrés espinho arquitectura is a two-storey educational facility in alequer, portugal. designed for a 600 student body aged three to nine, the design shows a clear language between the interior organization of the individual youth groups and the architecture’s formal features.

east elevation

composed of four black volumes of various sizes supporting a single white volume on top, the individually generated courtyards host two playgrounds for the kindergarten and 1st cycle class. the higher level accommodates the administrative programs including a reception area for waiting parents. firmly anchored into the existing topography of the site, the first storey seemingly sits on the street level in the approach.

street view

north entrance

north elevation

a major driving component of the design was to connect the exterior to the interior with the organization and form of the interior space. the branch-like volumes maximize the number of surfaces facing the outside, providing abundant natural sunlight into every classroom. three indoor ‘patio’ spaces are created in the slope of the existing ground, serving as a covered playground area on the south end of the building.

plaza

playground

kindergarten playground

patio 2 wall paintings by teresa magalhaes and conceicao espinho

(left) patio 2 (right) hallway

multipurpose room looking out on to patio 2

(left) atrium between floors wall painting by antonio moutinho (right) view from a staircase wall painting by mariana fernades

gymnasium

typical classroom interior

site plan

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level +1

longitudinal section

cross section

north elevation

south elevation

east elevation

west elevation