Elmaghraby Design House, in collaboration with Professor Dr. Gamal El-Kholy, takes over the rehabilitation of a disused lecture hall at Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt. The project has resulted in a significant addition to the campus, a multi-functional theater that introduces a new architectural identity through adaptive reuse. The architecture demonstrates a sustainable approach by reactivating an existing structure rather than initiating new construction, aligning with broader goals of resource efficiency and architectural preservation.

At the center of the design concept is the metaphor of the theater curtain, which informs both the programmatic transition and the architectural expression. The new facade, composed of a transparent glass curtain wall system and a series of parametric aluminum louvers, embodies this idea. The louvers, configured to respond dynamically to light and perspective, modulate transparency and shadow, giving the building a variable presence depending on time and viewpoint. This facade system also provides environmental performance by offering solar shading while maintaining visual openness. The glass curtain wall establishes visual continuity with the campus environment, reflecting adjacent structures and reinforcing contextual integration. Simultaneously, the parametric aluminum elements introduce a contemporary architectural language that distinguishes the theater from its more conventional surroundings.

contextual view blending new and existing elements | all images courtesy of Elmaghraby Design House

Ain Shams University Theater stands as the campus landmark

Internally, Elmaghraby Design House’s architectural team reorganizes the program to support dual academic and cultural functions. A fully equipped theater with a 550-seat capacity has been introduced, designed to accommodate a wide range of performances and events. In addition, two-tiered lecture halls, with a combined capacity of 1,200 students, extend the building’s usability for educational purposes. This hybrid configuration enables the structure to serve as both a learning environment and a cultural venue, fostering interdisciplinary interaction and community engagement.

By retaining the original structure and reimagining its function, the project minimizes material waste and conserves embedded energy. The intervention reinforces the role of architecture in evolving institutional identity, where form, function, and context are reassessed to meet contemporary needs. The Ain Shams University Theater now stands as a campus landmark, articulating a renewed commitment to cultural expression, academic versatility, and sustainable transformation through architectural design.

revitalized landscape creating vibrant campus edges

main entrance framed by dynamic aluminum fins

louver detail contrasting with soft landscape elements

the facade design draws from the metaphor of a theater curtain

vertical louvers animate the facade with movement

glass reflects the surrounding buildings, bridging old and new

close-up of louvers revealing layered depth and texture

aluminum louvers modulate shadow and light based on orientation and time of day

detail of parametric louvers casting rhythmic shadows

elevation reflecting the new architectural identity

at night, the facade opens like a stage curtain

project info:

name: Ain Shams University Theater Rehabilitation
architects: Elmaghraby Design House | @designed.by.elmaghraby

lead architect: Ahmed El-Maghraby

collaborator: Prof. Dr. Gamal El-Kholy

client: Ain Shams Government
location: Cairo, Egypt

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Vastushilpa Sangath’s Shiv Nader School in Chennai, India, is unified by a sweeping red roof that weaves through existing vegetation, creating a porous campus that intertwines architecture and ecology. Built around 1,400 mature trees the school is composed of low-slung, modular structures linked by deep verandahs and shaded courtyards. Designed to grow in phases, the campus is thoughtfully responsive to both its climate and context, treating the site’s natural, cultural, and hydrological layers as integral parts of its design logic.

The architects have devised the design language by looking to Tamil traditions, particularly the Chettinad thali, a composition of varied dishes served on a banana leaf. This is reimagined here as a sequence of spatial experiences, unfolding through a series of modest, dispersed volumes unified by sweeping curved roofs and deep verandahs. These transitional spaces also become functional learning environments in their own right, remaining shaded, open, and deeply rooted in local traditions of gathering and exchange.

all images by Edmund Sumner

Vastushilpa Sangath stages the campus as a loop of low volumes

Vastushilpa Sangath’s master plan breaks the built mass into modular units organized in a loop that is adjusted around the existing trees based on their age, species, and ecological significance. The architects prioritized creating the school with minimal environmental impact, and so the construction preserves biodiversity as much as possible and allows for the uninterrupted movement of birds, insects, and small wildlife.

Circulation paths bend and branch around trees, while rooflines are punctuated to allow canopies to pass through. This consideration for the site’s ecological character extends to the construction system featuring prefabricated structural components, including parasol-like roofs, that were assembled on-site to reduce disruption. Footings and service trenches were also combined into a single system, minimizing root disturbance while allowing for future infrastructure updates.

Shiv Nader School sits in Chennai, India

climate responsiveness is integrated throughout

Vastushilpa Sangath has worked with a material palette that draws from local economies and circular reuse for low-impact construction. Grey granite flooring, sourced from the region, supports both thermal comfort and traditional stonecraft, while a secondary skin of reclaimed ship timber wraps parts of the building in a weathered, tactile finish that quietly anchors the new architecture in tactile memory.

Environmental systems are also integrated sensitively throughout Shiv Nader School: solar panels generate roughly a third of the school’s energy needs, while a hybrid ventilation system merges natural airflow with mechanical cooling to optimize air quality, a particularly vital consideration for the architecture studio in a post-pandemic context. Climate responsiveness is equally embedded in water infrastructure. A defunct on-site lake was restored as both an ecological park and a learning resource. The campus now harvests all its domestic water needs through surface runoff and roof collection.

a sweeping red roof unifies the structure

solar panels generate roughly a third of the school’s energy needs

built around 1,400 mature trees

the school is composed of low-slung, modular structures linked by deep verandahs and shaded courtyards 

the material palette draws from local economies and circular reuse for low-impact construction

the campus now harvests all its domestic water needs through surface runoff and roof collection

the architects prioritized creating the school with minimal environmental impact

project info:

name: Shiv Nader School

architect: Vastushilpa Sangath

location: Chennai, India

principal architect: Rajeev Kathpalia

design director: Vijay Patel

project lead: Rajesh Suthar

architects: Anandita, Aniruddha, Drasthi, Lipi, Rahul, Rachit

MEPF: Jhaveri associates

structural designer: Manjunath BL and V .R Shah Engineers

landscape designer: Beyond greens, RAA

contractor: Larsen and Toubro

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John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects (JFAK) takes over the design of the Wonderland Elementary School in Los Angeles. The new kindergarten addition consists of two new classrooms, support spaces, and outdoor learning areas, designed for an existing hillside public school. The project incorporates a sculptural building form intended to facilitate early childhood learning through spatial variety and environmental engagement.

The structure presents a restrained profile to the adjacent residential context. Around its exterior, a series of colored louvers provides shading and visual articulation. Facing the interior of the school campus, the building form transitions into curved geometries that introduce spatial dynamism. A large roof overhang extends outward to offer protection from sun and rain, establishing a semi-sheltered outdoor zone that supports informal gathering and extended learning activities.

all images by Benny Chan/Fotoworks

large skylights bring natural light to the school’s interior

Studio’s John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects (JFAK) design follows principles of environmental sustainability and meets Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) Verification standards. The classrooms are oriented to optimize natural daylight and include controlled views toward the campus, surrounding neighborhoods, and nearby wooded areas. Ceiling sections remain partially open, allowing visibility into the mechanical and structural systems to support educational curiosity.

Top-lighting strategies include the use of large skylights and solar tubes to minimize reliance on artificial lighting and enhance interior daylight quality. Additional features include custom-designed storage units, integrated reading areas, and low-height seating beneath the extended roof edge, scaled appropriately for early learners. A central roof aperture equipped with colored polycarbonate fins introduces filtered light that shifts with the sun’s position, producing varied color effects throughout the day. The project integrates architectural expression, environmental performance, and educational function in a cohesive design tailored for early childhood learning environments.

Wonderland Elementary School is located in Los Angeles, California

the large sweeping roof overhang provides shade from the sun and shelter from rain

the mass of the building gives way to playful swoops facing the campus interior

colorful louvers wrap around the school’s exterior facade

colored polycarbonate fins above a large roof opening create transitory rainbows of colored sunlight

the structure presents a restrained profile to the adjacent residential context

the project also adds a learning garden to the elementary school

the project creates playful, inspiring, sustainable learning spaces that connect to nature and strengthen community

large skylights and solar tubes minimize reliance on artificial lighting and enhance interior daylight quality

custom colorful storage cubbies are designed with young learners in mind

project info:

name: Wonderland Elementary School Kindergarten Classroom Building and Learning Garden

architects: John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects (JFAK)

location: Los Angeles, California, United States

client: Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)

general contractor: Geronimo Concrete, Inc.

principals-in-charge: Alice Kimm, John Friedman

project manager: Lauren Rath

design team: Jin Hong Kim, Lolade Frankel

structural engineer: Nabih Youssef & Associates (NYA)

civil engineer: VCA

MEP engineer: MEDG

landscape architect: Office of the Designed Landscape (OotDL)

acoustics: Waveguide

specifications: Yagade Consulting, Inc.

cost estimation: MGAC

commissioning: Alliance Project

photographer: Benny Chan/Fotoworks | @benny_chan_photographer

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Located in the village of Hignigada near Baramati, Maharashtra, India, POD for Happiness is a multi-functional community structure designed by Craft Narrative. Positioned around a mature banyan tree, the intervention organizes space on a school campus where an avenue of trees separates a large playground. The POD functions as a play area, an outdoor classroom, and a communal gathering space. The structure is designed as a curving arc that partially encloses the banyan tree. Its form creates a porous connection between two sections of the playground, allowing movement across multiple points. Children can climb, slide, and traverse a raised bridge that offers views of the school and the adjacent village temple. Within the arc, small pockets are integrated for reading and quiet play.

During school hours, the POD serves as an open-air classroom. A circular seating arrangement made from bricks and repurposed terrazzo tiles accommodates group activities such as storytelling, painting, and clay modeling. The design promotes informal learning environments beneath the tree’s canopy. Construction uses ferrocement techniques with a red oxide plaster finish. Railings are made from surplus reinforcement rods, and repurposed terrazzo tiles are used for surfaces, integrating recycled materials into the build. The minimal footprint and material choices reflect both budgetary constraints and environmental considerations.

all images by Studio f/8

Craft Narrative’s POD preserves the existing village landscape

Beyond school use, the POD serves as a community space. Local residents use it during the evenings for walking, gathering, and informal social interactions around the banyan tree. The structure includes a shaded platform, or katta, reminiscent of traditional village seating areas. A library shelf within the structure offers access to reading material for both students and villagers. The POD is also used as a venue for cultural activities, such as traditional dance rehearsals, musical practice, and performances. Its stepped and accessible design allows it to function as an informal amphitheater. It also supports religious gatherings during events such as Vat Purnima, providing an appropriate setting for rituals centered on the banyan tree.

The POD for Happiness, designed by Craft Narrative’s architectural team, operates as a hybrid infrastructure, simultaneously a play structure, a learning space, a cultural platform, and a communal amenity. It is integrated into the existing landscape and contributes to the spatial and social fabric of the village.

POD for Happiness encircles a mature banyan tree in Hignigada village

the structure’s arc form connects both halves of the school playground

designed by Craft Narrative, the POD serves educational and communal functions

integrated climbing features and a slide invite playful movement across levels

quiet reading pockets are carved into the arc’s interior for solitary play

the open-air classroom supports group learning beneath the banyan’s canopy

a raised bridge offers views of the school and nearby village temple

the intervention preserves the existing tree line and playground openness

red oxide plaster and ferrocement define the POD’s material character

the multifunctional design allows year-round use across age groups and activities

circular seating made of brick and repurposed terrazzo facilitates communal activities

the shaded katta provides a place for rest and informal social interaction

Craft Narrative’s design integrates architecture with ecological and social context

project info:

name: POD for Happiness
designer: Craft Narrative

principal architect: Yatindra Patil and Vijay Kharade
design team: Bharat Yadav, Manasi, Yatindra Patil and Vijay Kharade
structural consultant: Sonal N

location: Hignigada, Maharashtra, India
photographer: Studio f/8 | @studio.f8_

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Danish firm Rosan Bosch Studio unveils The Garzón School, a rural project which unfolds within a dense eucalyptus forest in Maldonado, Uruguay. Reaching the school requires a walk through the landscape, past a lake and into a clearing where wooden structures gather like a small village. There is no perimeter, no formal gate, just an atmosphere of openness where the boundaries between school and forest dissolve into one another.

The project is designed as a continuous interplay between architecture and its surrounding ecology. The concept invites learning to happen both indoors and outdoors, with movement between these environments guided by curiosity rather than instruction. The campus is not organized around corridors or classrooms in the traditional sense, but by an unfolding of space that reflects the natural rhythm of the land.

images © Eleazar Cuadros

Designing with Nature at the Center

With the design of the Garzón School, Rosan Bosch Studio integrates biophilic principles, drawing on the textures and materials of the forest itself. Wooden structures are finished with the Japanese charring technique Shou Sugi Ban, lending both weather resistance and a tactile sense of permanence. Around the buildings, native vegetation, wooden play elements, and open paths encourage continuous exploration. Each decision is informed by the belief that nature teaches alongside teachers.

Inside the school, the architects develop differentiated spatial zones based on six archetypal learning modalities. These ‘Learning Worlds’ include spaces for quiet reflection, collaborative dialogue, experimentation, movement, and hands-on engagement. The result is a built environment that does not impose a hierarchy of space but rather offers meaningful choices for students to shape their own learning paths.

the architecture invites students to move freely between indoor and outdoor spaces guided by curiosity

the Garzón school’s Expanding Vision

Rather than being conceived as a backdrop, the architecture of the Garzón School becomes part of its educational philosophy. Rosan Bosch Studio designed the project in dialogue with teachers and inclusion professionals to support a curriculum rooted in inquiry, autonomy, and self-discovery. Every zone is calibrated to expand students’ sense of agency, shifting the focus away from passive absorption of knowledge to active participation.

The siting of the campus within a forest landscape gives it a sense of being both of the land and apart from it. Rosan Bosch Studio established the built environment as a modest village within the woods, its scale designed to welcome rather than overwhelm. Brick plazas echo regional construction traditions, while the open plan fosters chance encounters and collective gatherings beneath the canopy.

Since opening the first phase of the campus in March 2025, the school has grown into a model of nature-integrated learning. Rosan Bosch Studio continues to lead the design of its future phases. This long-term development signals a shift in how schools in Latin America might engage with architecture as a shaping force in the daily experience of students and educators alike.

the design uses biophilic principles and sustainable materials including charred wood and native vegetation

learning environments are divided into six spatial zones

the school’s layout resembles a village and blends regional traditions with contemporary educational values

architecture and pedagogy are closely linked to foster autonomy inquiry and self-directed exploration

the campus encourages collaboration and experimentation through its flexible spatial design

since opening in 2025 the school has become a model for future-oriented education in Latin America

project info:

name: The Garzón School | @thegarzonschool

architecture, interiors, landscape: Rosan Bosch Studio | @rosanboschstudio

location: Maldonado, Uruguay

completion: 2025

photography: © Eleazar Cuadros | @eleazarcuadros

local landscaping consultant: Amalia Robredo
executive architect, assembly: Enkel Group
engineering: Arboreal
contractor, mass timber solutions: Arboreal
carpentry: Meetline

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Strasbourg-based studio Dominique Coulon & Associés brings a splash of bold color to Illzach, a small town in the northeast of France, with a ‘multi-childcare crèche.’ The new building takes on the appearance of a sculptural installation more than a conventional childcare facility. Positioned at the edge of the town, it greets the surrounding neighborhood with an interplay of form and color that feels both unexpected and quietly confident. Framed by cherry trees and Japanese spiraea, the building conveys a soft energy in keeping with the spirit of early childhood.

With the children’s school, architect Dominique Coulon draws attention with a bold base in hues of pink and orange, over which a composition of white geometric forms appears to hover. These volumes are clearly defined against the open sky, offering a visual rhythm that enlivens the streetscape. Inside, double-height spaces rise through the structure, allowing light to shift and circulate in ways that animate the interior throughout the day.

images © Eugeni Pons

Dominique Coulon creates Spatial Warmth

The crèche by Dominique Coulon & Associés surrounds the children of Illzach with gardens and courtyards that feel secluded and safe. These sheltered outdoor areas extend the architectural program into the landscape, encouraging movement and rest in equal measure. They remain protected from urban noise and wind, forming a setting where energy can be released without constraint.

Approaching the project, visitors encounter a forecourt shaded by a horse-chestnut tree, which opens the building gently to its corner site. The French architect has used this position to full advantage, designing large glazed sections that draw the eye toward the interior. The entry sequence is calibrated with care, guiding guests into a sunlit hallway that functions as both circulation and gathering space.

Dominique Coulon designs the crèche in Illzach as a sculptural presence at the town’s edge

The Hallway as Heart of the Crèche

Dominique Coulon & Associés transforms the Illzach crèche’s main hallway into a spatial event. Orange surfaces rise to meet a cylindrical skylight, where rings of blue frame a view of the sky. The effect is playful but meditative, and the scale of the space makes it flexible for a range of uses. Rather than partition the building with corridors, the design favors openness, giving this central volume a social and symbolic weight.

Activity spaces are arranged to encourage fluidity and proximity between age groups. Rooms for toddlers and older children lie side by side and face south, ensuring strong natural light throughout the day. Glazing connects these spaces to the outdoors, while cross-ventilation allows the interior to remain cool during the warmer months. The project is an example of early childhood architecture that prioritizes both spatial complexity and intuitive use. Light, color, and form are not decorative here but integral to the atmosphere of calm alertness.

the building’s colorful base supports white geometric forms that rise into the sky

the crèche is surrounded by gardens and courtyards that feel calm and protected

a generous forecourt and glazed facade welcome families into the building

filled with color and light, the entrance hallway acts as a central gathering space

double-height interior spaces bring movement and light into the daily routine

Dominique Coulon avoided corridors by organizing the crèche around a spacious central volume

project info:

name: Multi-childcare crèche

architect: Dominique Coulon & Associés | @coulon_associes

location: Illzach, France

completion: 2024

floor area: 704 square-meters

photography: © Eugeni Pons | @eugenipons

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LYCS Architecture designs the campus for Quzhou No.6 Experimental School, located on Changshan Road in Quzhou’s High-Speed Rail New Town. Quzhou No.6 Experimental School spans approximately 67,500 sqm and comprises facilities for a 36-class primary school and an 18-class middle school. The project addresses evolving educational needs by introducing an open and adaptable layout.

Traditional school campuses are typically composed of plazas, courtyards, and circulation roads with clearly defined boundaries. In contrast, the design of this campus seeks to accommodate the spatial demands of contemporary educational models, which emphasize interaction, exploration, and flexibility over static classroom instruction. The architectural response aims to create an environment that integrates various zones of activity and supports different modes of learning.

all images by LYCS Architecture

Quzhou No.6 Experimental School organizes layered spaces

The design team at LYCS Architecture organizes the campus along a west-to-east axis and employs a spatial concept referred to as the ‘Tree of Growth.’ In this framework, teaching spaces represent the roots, transitional or hybrid spaces form the trunk, and innovation spaces make up the canopy. This conceptual layering informs the distribution and function of built elements across the site. Public and semi-public spaces are distributed at multiple scales, including pocket parks near classrooms, alcoves at corridor ends, and larger shared facilities for cultural and athletic use. These zones are designed to correspond with different periods of the school day, supporting informal interactions, transitions between activities, and larger gatherings.

The project introduces a primary circulation route conceptualized as a ‘campus street,’ which serves as the main organizing spine. A winding main street running south to north connects key programmatic areas, educational, cultural, and communal. This path is supplemented by a network of secondary routes extending east to west, navigating changes in elevation and linking elements such as sunken gardens, semi-enclosed courtyards, and raised walkways. This circulation system not only facilitates movement but also introduces spatial variety along the way. Facades, vegetation, and structural elements are positioned to create shifting visual experiences. The layout promotes unplanned interactions and varied spatial encounters as part of the daily routine.

Quzhou No.6 Experimental School spans 67,500 sqm in Quzhou’s High-Speed Rail New Town

design composes interplay of solids and voids, color, and form

The academic zone comprises two ‘E’-shaped building clusters aligned along one side of the main street. These clusters feature articulated gable-end facades that incorporate staircases, rest platforms, and open-air entry points. The design uses contrasts of material solidity and void, color, and form to emphasize the importance of these edge conditions. Above the main circulation, ‘sky pocket parks’ offer informal outdoor learning environments on upper levels. These spaces vary in layout and design, supporting casual use and encouraging interaction. They contribute to a spatial rhythm across the teaching blocks: terminal space, internal corridor, and open rooftop park. The floor plates are staggered to create semi-open, transitional spaces where students can engage in activities such as discussion, informal performances, or small group work. These ‘grey zones’ are designed to serve as extensions of the classroom, allowing for diverse modes of use.

Opposite the academic zone, the Cultural and Sports Center consists of four distinct volumes positioned across a landscaped slope. These buildings vary in geometry and function, supporting a range of activities in a non-linear configuration. The design addresses the site’s elevation changes through terracing, integrating outdoor play and activity zones within the natural topography. A stepped plaza known as the ‘Grand Steps’ functions as a transitional space between the sports field and indoor cultural facilities. In addition to facilitating daily circulation and events such as flag-raising ceremonies, this area is designed to accommodate flexible use, including group reading, small performances, and informal exercise.

facilities accommodate a 36-class primary school and an 18-class middle school

Quzhou No.6 Experimental School reconsiders the spatial organization of educational environments by incorporating adaptable layouts and multipurpose zones. Through a layered system of teaching, hybrid, and innovation spaces, linked by a continuous circulation spine and distributed open areas, the design supports both structured education and spontaneous activity. The campus layout by LYCS Architecture reflects an architectural response to changing pedagogical requirements and introduces spatial strategies intended to accommodate flexibility, interaction, and ecological integration.

the design responds to evolving educational needs with adaptable spatial planning

campus layout shifts away from rigid boundaries toward interconnected learning zones

public spaces of varying scale support transitions between learning and leisure

classroom clusters are integrated with pocket parks and alcove seating areas

changing elevations and textures create diverse spatial encounters across the site

‘sky pocket parks’ introduce informal learning spaces at upper levels

the main circulation path, or ‘campus street’, links academic, cultural, and communal zones

two ‘E’-shaped teaching blocks define the academic core along the main street

floor plate staggering creates semi-open zones for discussion and activity

project info:

name: Quzhou No.6 Experimental School
architect: LYCS Architecture | @lycsarchitecture
location: Kecheng, Quzhou, China

area: 67,500 sqm

client: Quzhou West District Investment Co., Ltd

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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NINHO — João de Barro Module by BIRI and MACH arquitetos at the Vila Ninho School fosters community participation and adaptable learning spaces in Brazil. Located in the Cerrado region of Minas Gerais, the space utilizes a modular grid and natural materials to create flexible and engaging educational environments, exploring the role of the physical environment in pedagogical practice. Founded in 2017, the non-profit social initiative sits within a protected environmental area, and operates based on four pillars: educating children, strengthening families, transforming communities, and multiplying efficient organizations.

Since 2018, the school has occupied a 14,000 square meter plot in Lagoa Santa, where the first physical structures were installed, including the Galpão João de Barro. With classrooms, administrative spaces, and support areas already established, the school has begun a planned expansion process commencing from 2024. Its first phase provided capacity for up to 20 students each, along with a connecting module featuring a covered patio with a pergola, altogether composed of wood, glass, polycarbonate, dry-wall, and industrialized systems. With the use of wood, too, parents and guardians are enabled to contribute to the construction.

all images courtesy of Jomar Bragança

the modular vila ninho school invites community participation

BIRI (see more here) and MACH arquitetos’ (see more here) design concept for the Vila Ninho School is guided by principles of sustainability, integration with the environment, and pedagogical innovation, seeking to transform the built environment into an active agent in the education of children. The architectural proposal is based on a modular grid of 2×2 meters and construction modules of 36 square meters, allowing flexibility and adaptation of spaces over time. 

The design of the space takes into account the environmental comfort and sensory experience of the students. Natural lighting is enhanced by skylights and overhead lights, while soft colors and suitable materials contribute to well-being and energy efficiency. The school uses artificial lighting systems with LED technology and high-performance thermal insulation on roofs and walls to further optimize energy use and foster ideal learning conditions. The implementation of rainwater harvesting and the reuse of gray water are also planned, demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability.

NINHO — João de Barro Module at a children’s school by BIRI and MACH arquitetos

BIRI and MACH arquitetos seek to integrate the school infrastructure with the local ecosystem. This involves the progressive reconstruction of the native flora of the Gallery Forest, which divides the land and forms the Permanent Preservation Area, fully respecting the buffer distances from each bank of the Capão da Onça Stream. Through a Technical Flora Reconstitution Project seeds will be collected, and seedlings of regional species will be produced in a nursery with a capacity for 1,072 seedlings. Students, parents, and teachers will actively participate in planting an area of 0.67 hectares, fostering environmental education and a sense of belonging.

The school expansion is organized into distinct sectors, including the João de Barro Warehouse Sector, which will be renovated with thermal and accessibility improvements. New single-story buildings will be constructed near the vegetable garden in the Woods and APP Sector, housing educational and cultural modules such as a library, technology lab, music room, and dance and theater rooms, all carefully installed among the existing vegetation. Accessibility will also be ensured by elevated walkways, stairs, and slides. Meanwhile, the sports court, changing rooms, cafeteria, and accommodation for researchers will also feature appropriate structural solutions, such as metal trusses and ribbed slabs with skylights.

utilizing a modular grid and natural materials to create flexible and engaging educational environment

All physical interventions are designed to minimize environmental impacts and respect the topography and natural characteristics of the terrain. The pre-existing nature serves as a starting point for the development of the project, guiding everything from the implementation of the buildings to the choice of materials. The school space is conceived not merely as a place of teaching but as an educational tool in itself, where each element of the environment can become an agent of learning and social transformation. By combining conscious architecture, sustainable practices, quality education, and community involvement, the Vila Ninho School project exemplifies how the physical environment can assume an essential educational role in contemporary pedagogical practice, promoting not only knowledge but also citizenship, care for the environment, and social responsibility.

since 2018, the school has occupied a 14,000 square meter plot in Lagoa Santa

the design concept is guided by principles of integration with the environment and pedagogical innovation

inside the classrooms

the architects seek to integrate the school infrastructure with the local ecosystem

the school expansion is organized into distinct sectors

project info:

name: NINHO — João de Barro Module
architect: BIRI | @biri.arq, MACh Arquitetos | @mach.arquitetos
location: Minas Gerais, Brazil

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom

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French studio Tectoniques approaches the Maryse Bastié Secondary School in France as one might approach a long-overlooked manuscript — worn, disjointed, but full of structural intention. Located on the southwestern edge of the medieval city of Dole, the 1974 campus was originally designed in a rigid orthogonal layout by Jouven et Phelouzat. Over time, its fragmented buildings and isolated functions led to a site that felt both illegible and dysfunctional. More than to simply renovate, the challenge was to rethink the entire complex.

The team sees the site as emblematic of the often-criticized architectural legacy from the 1970s. Instead of treating the school as an outdated facility to be corrected, the architects treat it as a latent resource to be recalibrated to meet contemporary needs. This perspective reframes the school’s history as an asset rather than a liability.

images © Maxime Verret

tectoniques’ Strategic Approach to Phasing and Expansion

Tectoniques plans the Maryse Bastié renovation in France with sensitivity to both construction logistics and educational rhythms. The school currently hosts 550 students, with a goal of expanding to 600. The strategy involves phased construction to ensure the site remains operational, while also reprogramming its layout for clarity and cohesion.

The architects begin by stripping back the overgrowth of past additions to reveal the rational grid beneath. Working with the prefab ‘Striwick’ box-and-beam system, the architects reinterpret the existing framework as a generator of form rather than a constraint. New additions mirror the rhythm of the old without mimicking its proportions, creating a quiet dialogue between past and present.

Responding to the spatial disorganization, the team introduces legibility and hierarchy. An upper-level volume bridges existing classroom blocks to house new specialized programs. This move reconnects the previously isolated SEGPA unit, while creating a new floor of pedagogical continuity. The interventions prioritize clarity and reinforce the school’s academic identity.

the Maryse Bastié Secondary School is reconfigured to bring clarity to a fragmented campus

A Hierarchical Structure of Spaces

Tectoniques repositions the entrance to the Maryse Bastié Secondary School to the south, forming a generous public axis aligned with an upcoming cultural center. A broad central hall becomes the new spatial anchor, articulating the school’s internal wings and improving orientation. The addition of vertical elements allows the complex to breathe within its larger suburban context.

The transformation is grounded within a framework of environmental performance. By using locally-sourced Douglas fir, the design reinforces both sustainability and regional craft. Prefabricated timber envelopes and wood-fiber insulation contribute to an upgraded thermal performance while accommodating the logistical challenges of a live site.

Facades are enclosed by vertical green larch cassettes and folded metal elements. The materials balance vernacular references with technical precision, giving the volumes a tactile depth. Extended eaves, shading devices, and aluminum joinery articulate the building’s new energy-conscious profile without sacrificing architectural expression.

locally-sourced Douglas Fir is employed to support sustainable construction

the original prefab structure is revealed as a framework for new extensions

the team improves circulation by reorienting the main entrance to the south

Tectoniques increases the building’s capacity while preserving its day-to-day function

prefabricated wood insulation panels enhance thermal performance

Tectoniques connects isolated school wings through a new, elevated structure

project info:

name: Maryse Bastié Secondary School

architects: Tectoniques | @tectoniques.architecture

location: Dole, France

photography: © Maxime Verret | @maxverret

The post a 1970s relic revived: tectoniques renovates maryse bastié school in france appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Architecture studio PILA unveils plans for a university building at Anatolia College in Thessaloniki, Greece. Designed as a porous, adaptable structure, the 2,300-square-meter building prioritizes flexibility, daylight, and a close connection with the surrounding landscape, all main elements in rethinking how students learn and interact. The team opens the establishment to the campus through transparent edges, landscaped pockets, and a gently curved facade that invites movement across thresholds. Vertical rotating panels filter sunlight, cutting glare and heat gain while creating shifting patterns of light and shade throughout the day. 

‘With the new building at Anatolia, we sought to create an open, flexible, and inspiring learning environment—one that seamlessly integrates with the campus landscape while fostering collaboration and innovation,’ shares PILA principal Ilias Papageorgiou. ‘This project embodies our belief that architecture can shape not only spaces but also the way knowledge is shared and communities are built.’

all images courtesy of PILA

the project is part of a four-building masterplan

The building by Athens and New York-based studio PILA is the first to break ground, with completion expected by Fall 2027, under a masterplan developed by UK-based Bennetts Associates. Set to complete a group of four main buildings alongside Bissell Library, Constantinidis Hall, and West Hall, the project helps shape a new academic quad, a green core where learning and social life intersect. The aim is to create a flexible hub that can evolve with future educational needs while reinforcing a sense of community on campus.

Dr. Panos Vlachos, President of Anatolia College, sees it as a turning point. ‘Anatolia is making a transformative commitment to the future of private tertiary education, with plans for significant investment in the coming years,’ he notes. ‘This bold vision will culminate in the establishment of a pioneering private university, offering a world-class, internationally integrated education that sets a new standard for academic excellence.’

architecture studio PILA unveils plans for a university building at Anatolia College in Thessaloniki, Greece

Inside–outside learning principles lead the design

The design is shaped by PILA’s belief that learning doesn’t just happen indoors. A large open-air amphitheater and outdoor study zones extend academic activity beyond the classroom, while carefully placed pathways and seating nooks foster informal encounters.

A sculptural central staircase doubles as bleacher seating, making it a natural gathering spot for talks, impromptu lectures, or just hanging out. Across its floors, the building offers a mix of spaces — quiet zones for individual focus, open-plan areas for teamwork, and multi-functional rooms with movable walls and retractable seating. The second floor includes a dedicated media center designed to support creative and digital learning, while the classrooms are fitted with acoustic and lighting systems optimized for concentration and conversation. 

the team opens the building to the campus through transparent edges

the facade uses vertical rotating panels to filter sunlight

a large open-air amphitheater and outdoor study zones extend academic activity beyond the classroom

the project helps shape a new academic quad

a sculptural central staircase doubles as bleacher seating

the aim is to create a flexible hub that can evolve with future educational

project info:

name: University Building at Anatolia College

architect: PILA Studio | @pila.studio
location: Thessaloniki, Greece
area: 2,300 square meters

lead architect: Ilias Papageorgiou

project team: Christina Papalexandri, Konstantinos Voutoufianakis Petropoulos, Georgia Theiakou

client: Anatolia College | @anatoliacollege

structural & MEP design: Arxiko Engineers

lighting design: ADlight

acoustic design: G. Chatzigeorgiou Acoustical Engineers

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