Reconstruction
of the Gymnasium
The main goal of the project is to use architectural and educational methods to breathe new life into the school building within 100 days following the tragedy.
Scope of work:
concept of transformation of planning solutions, concept of changing façade solutions, concept of landscaping, concept of interiors, designer’s supervision
Function:
general educational organization
Capacity
1050 students
Year:
2021
Location:
Kazan
Awards:
concept of transformation of planning solutions, concept of changing façade solutions, concept of landscaping, concept of interiors, designer’s supervision
Function:
general educational organization
Capacity
1050 students
Year:
2021
Location:
Kazan
Awards:
- Build School 2022 Grand Prix
- Honorary Diploma “The Best Project in Russia 2020-2023” from the Project Russia
The transformation of Gymnasium No. 175 was triggered by the tragic event of May 11, 2021, when nine people — two adults and seven students — were killed in an armed attack at the school. The Republic of Tatarstan, the city, and the school’s staff faced the challenge: What should be done with the building in such a situation? The project team was tasked with breathing new life into the school. In just 100 days, the school’s space underwent a complete transformation.
We conducted a study on the global experience of working with schools after tragedies. The key conclusion of the study is that a school building should be safe and comfortable, but not fortresses. It is necessary to implement the concept of crime prevention through environmental design. School spaces should create an environment where a friendly community can form, where everyone understands the value and importance of each other, and where everyone can find their own point of support, master communication skills, and engage in co-creation.
We conducted a study on the global experience of working with schools after tragedies. The key conclusion of the study is that a school building should be safe and comfortable, but not fortresses. It is necessary to implement the concept of crime prevention through environmental design. School spaces should create an environment where a friendly community can form, where everyone understands the value and importance of each other, and where everyone can find their own point of support, master communication skills, and engage in co-creation.
The idea, goals, and objectives behind the transformation of Gymnasium No. 175 in Kazan.
The key idea is to radically change the appearance, interior spaces, and landscaping of the school using architectural means to reduce anxiety and create a sense of a new, modern, “blank slate,” “unfilled with sadness” space that is open to creativity and the future.
The key idea is to radically change the appearance, interior spaces, and landscaping of the school using architectural means to reduce anxiety and create a sense of a new, modern, “blank slate,” “unfilled with sadness” space that is open to creativity and the future.
The main goals are:
- to recreate an atmosphere of trust through architectural and pedagogical means, to improve the quality and safety of the educational environment;
- to increase the efficiency of using educational spaces;
- to create spaces for new pedagogical practices. Some of the design solutions were developed in collaboration with the teaching staff and parents.
The school underwent a complete transformation, including updates to the façades, interior layout, and grounds. The most significant aspect of this transformation is the creation of a new entrance area to enhance security, aesthetics, and the overall experience of entering the school. As the perpetrator entered the school through the main entrance, it was crucial to create a sense of a completely new space and a different experience for students and teachers. The entrance area now serves as an inviting element in the overall composition of the building. The entrance is from the planning ground level, and the existing level difference is incorporated into the staircase with a mini-amphitheater. At night, the interior lighting and illumination of the school number additionally create a festive feeling.
New functional areas were added to the building. All special classes have been combined into thematic clusters, and open spaces have been created for small-group classes, a new assembly hall, and a swimming pool. One of the two existing gyms were transformed into a library with flexible zoning. The adaptability to various scenarios enhances the potential and functionality of the library. This space is open for future development. These changes allowed for experimentation with educational formats.
Post-project research
After one academic year of the gymnasium transformation, it was very important to understand how the renewal affected the development of the school community, how the spaces are used, and what the school needs for development. Therefore, we decided to conduct a post-project study. We prepared questionnaires for two focus groups (students and teachers), agreed on the questions with the teaching staff, and conducted a survey in early September 2022. Each questionnaire included questions about the use of the territory, internal spaces, navigation convenience, the degree of satisfaction with the spaces, and the feeling of calmness and security.
After one academic year of the gymnasium transformation, it was very important to understand how the renewal affected the development of the school community, how the spaces are used, and what the school needs for development. Therefore, we decided to conduct a post-project study. We prepared questionnaires for two focus groups (students and teachers), agreed on the questions with the teaching staff, and conducted a survey in early September 2022. Each questionnaire included questions about the use of the territory, internal spaces, navigation convenience, the degree of satisfaction with the spaces, and the feeling of calmness and security.
Here's another personalized response we received from one of the students::
Question: “What did the new school awaken in you?’
Answer: “It awakened my love for drawing. In less than six months, I achieved what I wanted.”
The results of the post-project study show the great impact of high-quality educational spaces on the development of the school community. Our architectural company, akvk+partners, promotes an approach to the design of educational facilities that is based on integrating architecture, pedagogy, and technology. These schools become elements of strategic marketing for good architecture, as children will be able to share their visual spatial experiences and create new high-quality spaces in our cities in the future.
Question: “What did the new school awaken in you?’
Answer: “It awakened my love for drawing. In less than six months, I achieved what I wanted.”
The results of the post-project study show the great impact of high-quality educational spaces on the development of the school community. Our architectural company, akvk+partners, promotes an approach to the design of educational facilities that is based on integrating architecture, pedagogy, and technology. These schools become elements of strategic marketing for good architecture, as children will be able to share their visual spatial experiences and create new high-quality spaces in our cities in the future.
The main results of the post-project study:
- due to the significant changes in the appearance and interior design, most children and teachers felt that they had entered a new school on September 1, 2021. This helped alleviate their anxiety;
- the school grounds were used more intensively, and physical education classes became more interesting and there are more extracurricular activities on the school grounds;
- it is convenient for children and teachers to move around the building, and they understand the new navigation system;
- most children and teachers feel safe and secure;
- the spaces are used according to the various scenarios that were included in the school renovation project;
- according to 78% of the teachers surveyed, “transparency” of the spaces enhances communication between students and fosters a sense of cohesion.
- the school has introduced new extracurricular activities in 7 areas (creative, sports, and project-based activities involving students, teachers, and parents);
- 80% of the teachers have noted an increase in students' motivation to learn;
- the teachers have started to adopt and implement new teaching approaches (assisted by the new library-media space), and have also become more interested in modern architecture and design of school spaces;
- 37% of the students have reported an increase in their interest in extracurricular activities.
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