Mariia Redkolis

advisor

https://knastu.ru/

Russian

Architecture. Interior design. Landscaping project. Urban design. more

This project addresses a topic that feels both timely and necessary — how educational architecture can respond to the evolving characteristics of Generation Z. I found the concept to be grounded in thoughtful observation: recognizing Gen Z’s desire for inclusivity, flexibility, social interaction, and creativity, and translating that into a design strategy is a meaningful and relevant design ambition.

What stood out to me was the emphasis on semi-outdoor and open space planning as a means to foster community and autonomy. As someone who strongly believes in learning environments that extend beyond the classroom walls, I appreciated the decision to place a HUB — a central zone for gathering, eating, reading, and informal interaction — at the heart of the school. It signals a shift from rigid, classroom-centric layouts toward a more student-driven spatial experience

The architectural strategy of stacking private and public volumes, and creating a circulation-rich layout through multimass composition and hallways, suggests an intent to break monotony and encourage movement and discovery. If I were further developing this design, I would push the open space concept even more — ensuring it provides not only flexibility, but also spatial identity and emotional comfort for students who may need both stimulation and quiet retreat.

Overall, the proposal reflects a sincere attempt to understand the social and emotional needs of Gen Z students through architecture. With further refinement in the spatial articulation and perhaps a deeper integration of nature and texture in the semi-open zones, this school could become a truly empowering environment for the next generation of learners.