NEWS

New School Gives Direction for Flexible Learning During Pandemics

31 March 2021

News

31 March 2021

News

Learning and educating must go on. Designed to operate during a pandemic, the new Lower School building of Markham College in Peru presents an ecosystem for learning. The winning design proposal by Rosan Bosch Studio and IDOM offers a future-proof and flexible learning environment with a focus on sustainability and outdoor learning.

In 2020, widespread school closures challenged learning across the globe. The long- term consequences of school closures are profound. School buildings with a strong focus on resilience, flexibility and personalized learning can play a pivotal role in avoiding school closures in the future. With the winning design proposal for Markham College’s new Lower School learning environment, Rosan Bosch Studio and IDOM have created an imaginative ecosystem for flexible learning.

As a first of its kind, the design presents a pandemic-proof school. It is conceived as a learning landscape that embraces each student’s learning potential, in a setting where learning and nature go hand in hand. With the future of education in mind, it is designed to empower students and foster 21st century skills.

Designed to foster 21st century skills

A learning environment based on motivation and trust can acknowledge that learning happens everywhere – and activate new learning potentials and at the same time minimize health risks. Schools need to change now to meet new health standards and safety needs. Flexible units, natural air ventilation, moveable elements, foldable walls and diverse breakout spaces are part of the design proposal for a school prepared for the unexpected.

Activating Outdoor Learning

Instead of gathering all students in one compact building block, the new Markham Lower School distributes learners and utilize the spacious school area. The design promotes the flexible use of the spaces and creates multipurpose areas and connections that support a continuous movement across the school. The design supports modern educational approaches which promote children combining activities when studying a subject. The school building is constructed with a thick external barrier along the campus borders to shield from city traffic. Internally, the three story-building embraces the green heart of the school. With a façade composed of balconies, vertical gardens, a learning bridge and small courtyards, the building creates a diverse inner space and gives all students easy access to outdoor learning.

Connecting Nature and Sustainability

With natural materials, sustainable solutions and lots of greenery, the architectural structure brings nature in and out of the building. Sustainability is one of the cornerstones of the design strategy. The building will have a nearly zero-energy and a net zero carbon footprint while integrating local, reused or recycled materials. The building is designed for natural cross ventilation that will provide 100% fresh air without any recirculation.

The warm climate of Lima makes outdoor learning possible most of the year. Shaded outdoor patios, vertical gardens and inner courtyards create a climate-friendly learning landscape with a strong sense of connection between nature and learning and blends the boundaries of indoor and outdoor learning.

With inspiration from the Peruvian landscape and the local Río Hablador (the Talking River), the design encourages a meandering flow through the campus ground. As a river, the paths take shape as whirlwinds and new divisions throughout the school’s large patios, outdoor areas and rooftop playground, bringing the learning conversations to all corners of the campus.

We are looking forward to revealing more details.