Primary School Dolní Břežany

The studio assignment focuses on the design of an educational facility that responds thoughtfully to the local context. Emphasis is placed on the spatial composition and architectural expression of the school, with careful consideration of contemporary educational trends and the evolving needs of modern schooling.

The design aims to create a learning environment that is flexible, inclusive, and inspiring — one that supports not only traditional classroom teaching but also collaborative, project-based, and outdoor learning. Architecture is understood here as an active part of the educational process: shaping the daily experience of students, encouraging interaction, and fostering a sense of community.

The project will explore spatial relationships, natural light, materiality, and the integration of indoor and outdoor functions to create a vibrant and stimulating school campus.

The building and its main entrance are oriented toward a newly emerging public space in the center of Jesenice. The forecourt of the grammar school forms a natural extension of Jesenice Square, where the nearest bus stop is located — the primary arrival point for most students.

The school’s programmatic zones are organized with regard to site orientation and accessibility. The central atrium and main entrance are aligned with the axis of the main pedestrian route leading from the bus stop. The academic wing is situated on the southern part of the site, allowing ample daylight to reach the classrooms. On the northern edge, adjacent to Říčanská Street, are the dining hall and sports hall with underground parking, positioned for easy access by service vehicles and private cars.

Due to the spatial demands of school infrastructure, the design is set within a relatively constrained site, resulting in a high building footprint. To compensate, part of the greenery is returned to the users in the form of an accessible green roof, which serves as a recreational and relaxation space for students.

The building of the grammar school incorporates a comprehensive approach to solar energy. The roofs of the taller volumes and the south-facing façade are equipped with solar panels, while roof skylights bring daylight into the atrium and the indoor sports facilities. The classroom and office windows are fitted with tilting awnings, allowing for adaptive shading throughout the day.

With the exception of the basement structure, which is made of reinforced concrete, the entire building is constructed using a timber CLT (cross-laminated timber) frame. The horizontal load-bearing system consists of CLT cassette slabs spanning a regular grid of 7.5 x 7.5 meters — with the exception of the gymnasium, which features a clear span of 30 meters to accommodate large open spaces.

The CLT façade skeleton is infilled with glazed curtain walls and windows, ensuring abundant natural daylight throughout the interior.

The roofs of the taller volumes — including the gymnasium and the academic wing — are fitted with solar panels, contributing to the building’s energy efficiency and sustainability goals.

The atrium roof is designed as a walkable green roof, offering outdoor seating, areas for relaxation, and roof skylights that illuminate the interior common spaces below.

This construction system emphasizes sustainability, spatial flexibility, and a healthy indoor environment, making the school both structurally innovative and environmentally responsible.