
Why does school design matter? A well planned, well designed school can positively impact children’s behavior and in today’s climate ought to have some aspect of sustainability and environmental consciousness. Little Steps has rounded up the top designed schools from Thailand to Singapore. You are going to want to check this list out…
This private international school runs pre-kindergarten through high school and is located near Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. The brainchild of Cynthia and John Hardy, the Green School is made entirely out of bamboo with an open-air classroom setting and a river that runs straight through campus. The Green School seeks to train our future leaders in sustainability. For summer and holiday travelers, note their Green Camp Program.
Without a doubt, this school just might be the most unique one we’ve ever seen. Its history goes as far back as a book in 2006. Yes...a BOOK. Two former jewelry business owners were so inspired by Alan Wagstaff’s “Three Springs” that they decided to carry out his dream. With absolutely no walls and open scenery of nature, this school teaches its’ k-12 students beyond the textbooks. In Green School Bails' environmental curriculum, your little one will be hands-on with creative-based eco-conscious education.
Green School Bali, Banjar Saren, Jalan Raya Sibang Kaja Abiansemal, Badung 80352, Bali, +62 361 469875?, www.greenschool.org
With a land area of 5,000 sqm, the campus is seven times the size of an average childcare center, making it the largest childcare center in Singapore with floor space per child more than double that of an average child care center. Not only is it large, but it is based on a green building design concept with natural ventilation, a roof garden, and five dedicated pods for water play, sand play and construction, performing art, and a food atelier.
E-Bridge, 78 Edgedale Plains, Singapore, http://www.e-bridge.edu.sg/
Regarded as “Vietnam’s hope for the future” this kindergarten was built for the children of low-income factory workers as a sustainable school with a triple-ring-shaped green roof, encircling three playgrounds. These grounds provide vegetable gardens and an agriculture learning environment located adjacent to the factory where their parents work. Architectural and mechanical energy-saving methods include green insulation, solar water heating, and recycled waste water which makes the school both energy efficient and less costly to maintain.
Farming Kindergarten, Biên Hòa, Dong Nai, Vietnam
This Japanese nursery school for students up to age 5 is located outside of Nagahama City in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Its single-storey structure showcases huge open ceiling windows called light-wells, which stream light into the main nursery which then cascades onto vibrantly painted walls. The children chase the light as they move across the walls of the room throughout the day.
Leimondo Nursery School, Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, Japan
The designers took the literal meaning of the word ‘kindergarten’ and created a ‘children’s garden’ which inspired a series of three mosaic style gardens: ‘garden of motion’, ‘garden of stillness’ and ‘garden with a roof’ that are integrated to inspire a play-based style learning. The indoor space includes walls that appear layered, (open at the top at varying heights) which enables diverse lighting, color, and a feeling of spaciousness between the loosely separated classrooms.
Yutaka Kindergarten, Saitama, Saitama Prefecture, Japan
The playground that lets kids run forever. Shaped like a giant circular halo, this school is an endless playground with trees growing through the classrooms. With skylights above and throughout, the wall-less classrooms invite noise to float freely from one class to another and from the outside to the inside. How do you build a school that lets children be children? Designer Takaharu Tezuka says ‘You think like a kid’.
Fuji Kindergarten, Tachikawa City, Tokyo, Japan
This 500-student Buddhist primary through secondary school sits high in the Indian Himalayas where the intent to preserve traditional Tibetan way of life runs paramount. An architectural award winner, its stylistic elements are based on designs found in local monasteries while the use of natural resources includes solar radiation, natural ventilation, and water re-distribution from the surrounding mountains. The structures use timber frames to resist seismic load, ensuring life safety in the event of an earthquake.
Druk White Lotus School, Leh, Ladakh, 1, India, +44 (0) 20 8468 1339, www.dwls.org
Eight shipping containers were used to build this art school commissioned by the global architectural design firm LOT-EK. The school looks over the Hakwoon Park pedestrian walkway and peeks over the drop to the riverbank below, marking it as a visual focal point and local gathering destination. Its bright yellow and black structure, lettering, and deck make it a standout landmark within the urban fabric of Anyang.
Apap Open School, Anyang, South Korea
At a distance, you can hardly tell that this 5-storey green roof art school is a building because it blends in so well with its environment. A plethora of glass walls allow natural light to illuminate the interior, and the grassy roof is used as a meeting space for students. The green roof also insulates the building, cools the surrounding air, and harvests rainwater for landscape irrigation.
Nanyang Technological University, 81 Nanyang Drive, Level 3, Singapore 637458, +65 6790 4828, www.adm.ntu.edu.sg
This 18,000 square meter school is slated to open in 2018. It has a “villa” style layout that allows students to share a common space intended to foster a greater sense of community. These villas extend outdoors on every floor with shared terraces. The design of the school’s façade will include 1,050 colored ceramic sun breakers, each colored by FIS students which diffuse light into the gymnasium intended to minimize internal heat.
French International School (main campus), 165 Blue Pool Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong, +852 2577 6217, www.fis.edu.hk
This primary school was one of 9 earthquake-resistant schools built in one of the worst affected areas of Chiang Rai. Its steel frame is elevated on stilts to avoid flooding. The architects from Design for Disasters selected inexpensive materials, using corrugated plastic sheeting for windows and room dividers, and cement board for walls and shelving. D4D used a similar prototype for other earthquake areas with the idea that construction can be done by unskilled builders with the aid of a manual in only three days' time.
Baan Nhong Bua School, Chiang Rai, Thailand
Surrounded by sky-scraping mountains and neighbored by Tai Tam’s breathtaking Harbour, the Hong Kong International school is a fantastic place for your little ones to learn. Students from all over the world are accepted to receive an American-based education with the purpose of getting a continuing education. This vibrant school also has plenty of athletics to offer. From education to scenery and athletics, this school gives your child the tools he or she needs to be successful.
Hong Kong International School, 1 Red Hill Rd, Tai Tam, Hong Kong,+85 231 497 000, bhart@hkis.edu.hk, www.hkis.edu.hk
This modern affordable school has breathtaking architecture. Known for its amazing education, SMMIS has an array of activities to keep your little one on the move. It has a swimming pool, indoor basketball court, and a theater room (just to name a few). This school won’t only give your child a positive environment but an active learning curriculum. SMMIS also works side by side with top qualified UK nutritionists and chefs to give your little one a fresh meal every day.
Sir Manasseh Meyer International School (SMMIS), 3 Jln Ulu Sembawang, Singapore +65 633 14 633, admissions@smm.edu.sg, www.smmis.edu.sg
Founded in 1946, Alice Smith School is one of the leading international schools in Kuala Lumpur. With plenty of play areas and a remarkable reputation for amazing grades, this school may be the all-in-one package for your children. They’re equipped with state-of-the-art athletic facilities that give your child the best opportunity to grow in an extracurricular activity. They’re also known to offer some of the best British education for international schools from foundation to 6th form.
Alice Smith School, 2, Jalan Bellamy, Bukit Petaling, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +60 321 48 3674, admissions.ep@alice-smith.edu.my, www.alice-smith.edu.my
Just looking at this school gives off a sense of peace and tranquility. From infancy to adolescence, this school gives your children some of the best scenery Bali has to offer. With innovative and traditional education techniques, this school constantly monitors your little ones' learning process. They focus on building character traits like confidence, resilience, and adaptability so students can flourish in their environment. The mission of Montessori is to install young leadership in the minds of their students and to help them pace a path to success.
Montessori School Bali, Jl. Raya Semat 66, Tibubeneng Berawa, Kuta Utara Bali Indonesia, +62 813 3950 9018, contact@montessoribali.com, www.montessoribali.com
With a colorful pallet hugging the walls of this school, Nanyang Primary steers clear of boring white classrooms. Its vibrantl design is meant to keep positivity surrounding students at all times. When visiting, you won’t find a frown in sight. This school is known for its highly positive environment and its unique education system. Patience is at the core of their education. Nanyang primary believes that your child's education is like a pearl, it takes a lot of time to grow, but it will benefit their success in the future.
Nanyang Primary, 52 King's Rd, Singapore, +65 6467 2677, cheryl_cheong@moe.edu.sg, www.nyps.moe.edu.sg
Tzu Chi is very keen on their school's vision; to provide thoughtful education in a loving environment. Its amazing architecture is one drawcard for this unique school. Your child will be surrounded by the coolest scenery with windows surrounding the school at 360 degrees. Your little one will feel an open and welcoming environment to learn and succeed. Through the comprehensive curriculum, your child will learn to master 3 languages and be able to communicate fluently with their friends and peers.
Tzu Chi International School, No.1, Jalan Jalil Impian 2 Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +603-80907888, tciskl.info@tzuchi.edu.my, www.tzuchi.edu.my/education/curriculum
This facility is gorgeous. While it may look a little small on the outside, the inside can be the most breathtaking part of it all. From an indoor running track to an aesthetic library, this school has to be one of the most unique schools ever. The British 3-11 age school is teaching its students how to develop strong foundations to further their education. Its curriculum, however, is a little different than some schools. It’s broken down into 3 specific phases to optimize learning capabilities.
Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong, 10 Shek Kok Road, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, +852 2480 1500, enquiries@shrewsbury.edu.hk, www.shrewsbury.edu.hk
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