Hosted Design: Wang Jianfeng / Li Fei
Location: Czech Republic
Year: 2018
© PL-T Architects is a regular architectural firm
The designers emphasize that the vitality and social significance of LO Š BATES Elementary School lies in its thoughtful integration of architecture, urban environment, nature, and human activities. This relationship aims to provide children with innovative, natural educational spaces and a nurturing growth environment.
The key challenge addressed by this design is finding the right balance between traditional educational spaces and urban areas that serve a public function.
© PL-T Architects is a regular architectural firm
© PL-T Architects is a regular architectural firm
© PL-T Architects is a regular architectural firm
© PL-T Architects is a regular architectural firm
© PL-T Architects is a regular architectural firm
© PL-T Architects is a regular architectural firm
Using a systematic zoom-in analysis from an 8km × 8km area to 2km × 2km, down to the 300m × 300m site, the designers thoroughly studied the relationships between the region, town, and site. Based on this analysis, they proposed the transformation of LO Š BATES Elementary School into a vital urban node through the principles of opening, continuation, penetration, and sharing.
© PL-T Architects is a regular architectural firm
© PL-T Architects is a regular architectural firm
© PL-T Architects is a regular architectural firm
© PL-T Architects is a regular architectural firm
© PL-T Architects is a regular architectural firm
© PL-T Architects is a regular architectural firm
© PL-T Architects is a regular architectural firm
1. Opening Up
The design opens up the traditionally centralized campus buildings by separating external public functions from internal teaching spaces into two distinct parts—east and west—creating an open campus in the center. This clear division places public areas in ideal, accessible locations while effectively shielding the teaching zones from external disruptions.
2. Continuation
Respecting the natural environment, the large forest to the north extends southward into the open campus, integrating the campus and playground into the forest landscape. Spaces such as basketball courts, running tracks, and football fields are designed to blend seamlessly with the northern forest, forming a natural outdoor activity area—this stands out as a key feature of the overall layout.
The architectural design also embodies the idea of continuity. Using a single modular element as the basic unit, buildings create an orderly whole by extending and replicating these units. Future expansions—whether teaching areas, dining facilities, or sports centers—will follow the original structural logic, maintaining the integrity and harmony of the existing architecture. This approach allows the school to grow naturally, mirroring the organic development of a child.
Importantly, this strategy, combined with reserved open spaces, ensures that future expansions are cost-effective and convenient without interrupting the building’s current use.
3. Penetration
The forest penetrates into the central campus, flowing from the open middle area to the semi-open courtyards framed by buildings, and further into enclosed inner courtyards. This progression—from open to semi-open to closed spaces—creates a layered spatial experience that blends natural forest elements with architectural forms, offering diverse and engaging environments for students.
4. Sharing
The open campus between buildings faces a key pedestrian landscape to the north. By connecting and integrating with the forest, this space is envisioned as a shared natural area. It serves as a sports field and ecological campus for students during school days, and transforms into a sports plaza and public gathering space for local residents on weekends and holidays. Along with the adjacent auditorium and gymnasium, this design transforms LO Š BATES Elementary School from a traditional, isolated educational facility into a vibrant, sustainable urban center.
© PL-T Architects is a regular architectural firm
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