Riyadh Finnish School | K2S

The new school in Riyadh based on a Finnish concept will be designed as an impressive public building to be constructed in Anas Bin Maluk street. The new type of school building is designed to implement the Finnish philosophy of education: the garden-like yards of various sizes of both the girls’ and boys’ schools redefine the large edifice by reducing its scale to manageable proportions. The yards shaded by extensive covered areas and verdant stands of trees will serve as entrance and outdoor recreation areas. With their pleasant micro-climate and vegetation, the gardens act as protective zones outside the classrooms. The core of both schools consists of a lobby which opens into the courtyard around which the common facilities are grouped. The lobby gives direct access to the media centre comprising the library and computer classrooms and the music hall known as the ‘Black Box’. The lobby houses the study and recreation areas, lockers and the student union cafe. The lobby can be closed off from the rest of the building for various events, making it possible to use the premises outside school hours as well. Teaching will be provided in small cellular units according to age group. From 4th grade on teaching takes place in different class rooms according to curriculum. The facilities for special-purpose instruction intended for shared use by all the students are provided next to the main lobby. The girls’ and boys’ sides are separated by an outdoor playing field intended for shared us which can be split into two sections. An ascending spectator stand will also be provided on one side of the field. The external wall materials will be simple and straightforward: white glazed brickwork, glass, wood and concrete. The same materials are replicated in the building interior. K2S Architects Ltd. Kimmo Lintula, Niko Sirola and Mikko Summanen