Primary School and Annexes

The Inmaculada Concepción Primary School project, located in the South -central neighbourhood of Santa Fe city in Argentina, is part of the historic Jesuit block, designed to merge modern educational needs with a deep respect for the site’s history. This primary school building connects two blocks of the Jesuit educational complex through a subterranean tunnel, allowing students to easily move between the open circular patio and the adjacent sports complex. The underground connection fosters a sense of unity across the school, linking these two key educational spaces.

The classrooms are thoughtfully grouped by age, each sharing a central gallery lit by skylights, which run across the four levels of the building. This design maximizes natural light and creates a sense of openness within the enclosed structure. The lower ground level is dedicated to specialized spaces, including workshops for art, music, and other extracurricular activities. There are also meeting rooms for teachers and a chapel that serves as a spiritual retreat for the school community.

One of the defining features of the building is its relationship with the surrounding context. The exterior façade, which faces the street, is deliberately closed off, designed to reflect the façade of the neighbouring secondary school. This choice creates a sense of cohesion with the broader Jesuit complex. However, the two inner façades open up generously—one side facing the kindergarten courtyard and the other towards the secondary school's patios, integrating the different educational spaces and promoting interaction across age groups.

A distinctive architectural element is the creation of an "inner street" within the block, leading to the primary school's main entrance. This internal pathway allows students to disperse more safely at the end of the school day, avoiding direct exposure to street traffic. This design not only enhances safety but also reinforces the idea of the school as a self-contained world where students can transition gradually from one space to another.

The building’s materials and design are in continuous dialogue with the historical context of the Jesuit complex. The most striking example is found in the patio floor decoration. The tiles used here are an enlarged version of the tessellated patterns found in the historic chapel floor of the secondary school. This design choice creates a visual and symbolic connection to the past, linking the old and new parts of the educational complex. The tiles not only evoke the site’s heritage but also create a sense of continuity between generations of students who have passed through these halls.

This project goes beyond creating a functional educational space. It embeds history into its very foundation, preserving the warmth and tradition that many students hold dear. The school’s thoughtful design fosters a deep sense of community and continuity, making it not just a place of learning but also a cherished part of the students’ lives for generations to come.