Future ISL School

To see drawings of the new school click here Introduction In June 2008, TruexCullins (TC) first traveled to the International School of Latvia and met with administration, board members, faculty members, parents, and students in order to gather information about the nature of their new school facility. The results from this trip were compiled into the Space Programming Report dated December 5, 2008. The Space Programming Report includes an overview describing ISL’s goals for school enrollment, project budget and affordable size. There is also a discussion of ISL mission and Core Tenets documents and their potential impact on design. The core of the document is the Space Program, which details the number size and type of spaces to be included in the new facility. In December of 2008, TruexCullins made a second trip to Latvia to present three conceptual design master plans for the team to review. The three schemes each met the guidelines established by the first trip, but were diverse enough to generate productive discussions with the user groups. After considerable discussion, there a general consensus to merge the qualities of two of the schemes, the result of which is an L-shaped, two-story scheme oriented to the east. Design Concept The proposed concept began with the ISL Core Tenet: “A well-rounded education balances the academic, physical, social and emotional development of students…” This statement inspired the notion that the library (academic), gymnasium (physical), and lobby (social and emotional) should be visible when approaching and entering building. In this way, the visitor begins to understand the cornerstones of the ISL experience. To maintain and enhance the strong sense of community at the school, the building geometry creates an outdoor entry courtyard oriented east and south. There is a single main entrance through which all enter the building, encouraging the social interaction of students, parents and staff of all ages. The lobby is located at the crossroads of all paths, further encouraging the informal interaction so critical to building a learning community. Creating a scheme that allowed for future expansion also drove the design. It became clear that a successful design must allow for an additional academic wing, cafeteria, auditorium and expanded library and administration. To keep the building compact and effi cient, a two-story concept was developed. The orientation and geometry of the proposed design has several advantages. The location of the gymnasium and support spaces to the north serves to protect the entry area and academic wings from potential high way noise. The northsouth orientation of the academic wings allows for equitable access to natural light for all classrooms. The design seeks to express the nature of ISL as an international school in a regional context. The nature of the site, flat and undeveloped, informed the nature of the solution. The design utilizes pitched roofs and long horizontal elements to harmonize with the fl atness of the landscape, as well as connect with the regional vernacular architecture. The roof elements also serve to create a warm, inviting look appropriate to the nature of the school. The expression of these forms, however, is decidedly fresh and contemporary, and speaks of a forward-looking institution that is a member of the international community. Inside, these themes continue. The limited use of wood ceilings and stone fl ooring in public areas serves to connect the facility with the region with native natural materials.