'escuela de balompié de san juan' by WAI architecture, puerto rico
images courtesy of WAI architecture think tank


beijing based studio, WAI architecture has designed
'escuela de balompié de san juan', a football school and training center in
san juan. the multi-purpose facility aims to create a space that improves
the conditions of public education and sports development in puerto rico.
intended as a paradigm of civic enterprise, education and high-level training,
the building is accessible to, and merges, students and athletes from the
surrounding community.

using the archetypical principle of 'anima sana in corpore sano'
(sound mind in a sound body) as its ethos, the school integrates four main
areas of activity - study, practice, rest and recreation - into a series of
continuous spaces.



library

structured around a private garden, the facility features four intersecting
wings, each housing a different program.

classrooms on the third floor branch off of the lobby to extend over the
bleachers, providing shelter from the elements during games. the dormitory
wing containing 28 rooms and a cafeteria, breaks away from the u-shaped
plan, projected as a slender volume that overlooks the football field.



back of school and field


a contrasting plane transversely divides the structure, proving access to
functions on the third floor from the playing field. benches are carved into
the side of the ramp, giving it dual purpose and replicating forms that exist
within the main building



entrance at night



floor plan / level 0



floor plan / level 1




floor plan / level 2



section



section



section



exploded axo



axo