‘EDUCATION CENTER_163’
Type: School renovation
Area: 500 m2
Year: 2025
Phase: Concept design
Client: 163rd Primary School “Chernorizets Hrabar”
The building of 163rd Primary School “Chernorizets Hrabar” features an impressive and iconic architecture, constructed at the end of the 20th century, aligning with the modernist architectural style. The building’s design is one of the few categorized as “experimental,” standing apart from the typical school buildings of that period. Notable features include atrium stairwells topped with skylights, an open assembly hall connected to the common areas, and an outdoor stage integrated into the terrain.
The project focuses on the first floor of Block G of the school complex, aiming to house specialized classrooms and laboratories for IT, mathematics, natural sciences, robotics, arts, and entrepreneurship.
‘EDUCATION CENTER_163’
Type: School renovation
Area: 500 m2
Year: 2025
Phase: Concept design
Client: 163rd Primary School “Chernorizets Hrabar”
The building of 163rd Primary School “Chernorizets Hrabar” features an impressive and iconic architecture, constructed at the end of the 20th century, aligning with the modernist architectural style. The building’s design is one of the few categorized as “experimental,” standing apart from the typical school buildings of that period. Notable features include atrium stairwells topped with skylights, an open assembly hall connected to the common areas, and an outdoor stage integrated into the terrain.
The project focuses on the first floor of Block G of the school complex, aiming to house specialized classrooms and laboratories for IT, mathematics, natural sciences, robotics, arts, and entrepreneurship.
The first shared zone serves as the main entrance to the center. Here, a stepped seating area with soft flooring is installed, suitable for open presentations as well as recreation and play. In the corridor area, the project provides an active recreation zone and includes a climbing wall.
The functional layout reflects contemporary trends promoting interconnectivity between classrooms, breaking away from the traditional corridor layout where communication spaces dominate at the expense of common zones.
The building’s structural layout provides an open-plan space with reinforced concrete columns, beams, and diaphragms. All partition walls are made of non-load-bearing brick masonry, allowing freedom in planning and flexibility to best meet functional needs.
The final solution, after removing key walls, allows the unification of otherwise small classrooms by also utilizing part of the corridor. Two shared areas are created—one central and one near the entrance to the block. In addition, the center includes five classrooms.
The first shared zone serves as the main entrance to the center. Here, a stepped seating area with soft flooring is installed, suitable for open presentations as well as recreation and play. In the corridor area, the project provides an active recreation zone and includes a climbing wall.
The functional layout reflects contemporary trends promoting interconnectivity between classrooms, breaking away from the traditional corridor layout where communication spaces dominate at the expense of common zones.
The building’s structural layout provides an open-plan space with reinforced concrete columns, beams, and diaphragms. All partition walls are made of non-load-bearing brick masonry, allowing freedom in planning and flexibility to best meet functional needs.
The final solution, after removing key walls, allows the unification of otherwise small classrooms by also utilizing part of the corridor. Two shared areas are created—one central and one near the entrance to the block. In addition, the center includes five classrooms.
The second shared zone functions as an entrance to the classrooms and centers around an open library. This area is a key feature of the design with its circular geometry. It is enclosed with glass partitions, allowing natural light to enter from the exterior glazing. Furniture includes open shelving around the perimeter and soft seating in the center.
The entrepreneurship and robotics classrooms are equipped with mobile modular desks. These units are designed at two different heights and made with metal sheet surfaces, ensuring durability and resilience. Special attention has been paid to the acoustics in all classrooms. Suspended ceilings are designed on two levels—a lower one to conceal structural elements and a higher one, clad with boards made of compressed wood particles. Indirect lighting and cylindrical acoustic baffles further contribute to the acoustic quality.
The second shared zone functions as an entrance to the classrooms and centers around an open library. This area is a key feature of the design with its circular geometry. It is enclosed with glass partitions, allowing natural light to enter from the exterior glazing. Furniture includes open shelving around the perimeter and soft seating in the center.
The entrepreneurship and robotics classrooms are equipped with mobile modular desks. These units are designed at two different heights and made with metal sheet surfaces, ensuring durability and resilience. Special attention has been paid to the acoustics in all classrooms. Suspended ceilings are designed on two levels—a lower one to conceal structural elements and a higher one, clad with boards made of compressed wood particles. Indirect lighting and cylindrical acoustic baffles further contribute to the acoustic quality.
The intervention in the IT and mathematics room introduces a multifunctional piece of furniture tailored to the varying needs of both subjects. The room features a central table with low and high seating around the perimeter where computers are placed. In the center, there is an additional shared zone with a bench facing a blackboard for math classes. The piece is again primarily metal, and the furniture “flows” into the flooring, connecting the elements.
The natural sciences classroom is furnished with two double-sided lab tables that combine wood and metal. Greenery is incorporated between them. Above the tables, hanging shelves provide equipment storage.
The intervention in the IT and mathematics room introduces a multifunctional piece of furniture tailored to the varying needs of both subjects. The room features a central table with low and high seating around the perimeter where computers are placed. In the center, there is an additional shared zone with a bench facing a blackboard for math classes. The piece is again primarily metal, and the furniture “flows” into the flooring, connecting the elements.
The natural sciences classroom is furnished with two double-sided lab tables that combine wood and metal. Greenery is incorporated between them. Above the tables, hanging shelves provide equipment storage.
The art classroom is designed for individual work, with furniture arranged along the perimeter of the room. This keeps the space open and flexible for various types of activities. Benches with soft backrests are placed along the walls, and beneath them, extra upholstered poufs can be stored and brought out as needed. The color palette of the block combines yellow accents and wood finishes, forming a warm tone that evokes a sense of domestic comfort.
The art classroom is designed for individual work, with furniture arranged along the perimeter of the room. This keeps the space open and flexible for various types of activities. Benches with soft backrests are placed along the walls, and beneath them, extra upholstered poufs can be stored and brought out as needed. The color palette of the block combines yellow accents and wood finishes, forming a warm tone that evokes a sense of domestic comfort.
