Schools should not be perceived as institutional fortresses nor be structures that overpower their surroundings through large scale interventions but rather they should be integrating beacons of light, hope and familiarity for the community. We envision a school where the children take center stage and natural light fills spaces through the articulation of large glass openings, skylights and courtyards. The school should be open, transparent and easy to understand ensuring a clear visual connection to the neighborhood and community that surrounds it.

This approach allows multiple permutations and alternatives all conceived under the rigor and order of a system. Far from limiting the architectural result, it enriches it by providing a roadmap to a symphony of controlled forms and spaces. The materiality of the school should be clean, essential and sustainable. Glass, concrete and green walls should articulate continuous and clean surfaces.