The new school building is based on the idea of a silver arrow highlighting the core values of technology – speed, sharpness and precision. The aim was to create a soft and welcoming outdoor space while also stimulating the senses with intriguing forms and elements. The winning entry stressed the uniformity of the indoor and outdoor spaces and the blurring of the boundaries. Thus, the key role was played by the terracotta steps and surfaces almost flowing out of the ground floor windows and back again.
The hilly green landscape solution forms a soft background for resting from the academic work. Various activity areas allow students to come together and do something together – basketball, table tennis, group work, relaxing and socialising. In good weather, the learning activities may be taken outdoors to the steps. There are numerous pine trees typical of the district, but also decorative shrubs to provide colour, blossoms and fruit to the birds. The planting included shrubs, perennials, turf grass and wildflower turf to provide diversity and also keep the maintenance costs low.
The mushroom-shaped bike sheds, indoor-outdoor steps, hillocks with gabions and greenery create an environment distinct from the surrounding urban setting that will hopefully encourage students to ask questions, form opinions as well as perceive and observe their surroundings.
Text by: Kristian Nigul