Schools become landscape highlights

Trung Vuong Secondary School with its special architectural design brings a new learning space for students - Photo: TRUONG TRUNG

In recent years, when newly built, schools in Da Nang pay special attention to the design stage, and have teachers participate and give feedback from the beginning.

The school buildings are uniquely designed, not stereotyped and have their own design language, creating architectural highlights. Some buildings have highly appreciated architectural plans before construction.

Architect Vu Quang Hung (Delegate of Da Nang City People's Council)

Green corridor, open library

Although it is summer vacation, many teachers of Tran Hung Dao Secondary School (Binh Thuan Ward, Hai Chau District, Da Nang) still regularly go to school.

Block C of this old school is about to be demolished to make way for a new building. This place is designed to be multi-purpose to serve the teaching of many subjects for 1,200 students.

Teachers are constantly present to work with the construction unit to complete ideas before laying the foundation for new construction.

Ms. Vo Thi Minh Phuong, principal of Tran Hung Dao Secondary School, said that because the school is located in the central area, the area is quite small. In this new construction of Area C, the school proposed an open space on the ground floor. The remaining floors will serve the teaching of subjects such as music, biology, etc.

"The highlight of this design is the first floor with a completely open space. This can be a place for children to live and exercise regardless of the weather. Because we do not have a gym or indoor sports field, the open space on the first floor will be used flexibly," said Ms. Phuong.

Leading us through the block of buildings that will be demolished, Ms. Phuong said that the restroom area between blocks B and C will be demolished to make a corridor connecting the two blocks.

This is a proposal from the school teachers before the construction started and the design was approved by the construction contractors.

In addition, based on the school's need for classrooms for subjects, newly built classrooms will be oriented to appropriate functions and uses. Subject teachers also contribute ideas to the design to be close to the teaching space such as music, biology, chemistry...

Last school year, Tran Hung Dao Secondary School also invested in renovating two key projects including the corridor connecting blocks A - B and the open library. Blocks A - B were built with four floors parallel to each other many years ago.

Every time a class changes from one building to another, teachers and students have to move up and down many floors. Not to mention that during rainy and windy times, there is no corridor, causing inconvenience in daily life and teaching.

Last school year, the corridor connecting the 3rd and 4th floors between the two blocks was built. The corridor pillars were built high, and the corridor railings were designed with stainless steel frames to create an airy, youthful feeling.

In addition, outside the railing there is a strip of green trees that brightens the landscape of the school built decades ago.

"Now the hallway is not only a place to walk but also a highlight of the children's break space after school. Teachers do not have to worry about carrying umbrellas or raincoats to move between teaching areas," said Ms. Phuong.

In recent years, school architecture has received more attention. Many new schools in the city center such as Ly Tu Trong Primary School, Trung Vuong Secondary School, Tay Son Secondary School... are designed with new architectural plans, both modern and aesthetic. At the same time, many old schools have been renovated to bring green, friendly spaces to students.

Another change in schools in Da Nang is the investment in "open" libraries. Libraries are arranged with books and newspapers similar to bookstores, with fewer tables and chairs and instead have seats right where the books are kept.

Open library of a school in Da Nang - Photo: TRUONG TRUNG

No more turnkey

The principal of a primary school in Da Nang said that for a long time, investment in school buildings was often done on a "turnkey" basis. That is, the school was built and then handed over to the school. Teachers and students were the main users but did not participate in the design process.

"Of course, no one understands the product better than the user. Students and teachers use it every day, so we are the ones who understand its functionality. For example, in the past, there was a school that built the teacher and student restrooms close together, which was not suitable.

Or the toilet facilities for students but the equipment and height are calculated according to adult standards, causing inconvenience. Then the school assigns a security guard without taking into account the living facilities for the person on duty 24/7...", this person said.

Having been a principal for nearly 15 years, this teacher commented that Da Nang has a "new wind" in school design thinking. Many schools are now in harmony with the local landscape thanks to being decorated with more colors than the two main yellow and red frames before.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre, Mr. Dinh Khanh Van, Head of the Culture and Social Committee of the Da Nang City People's Council, said that currently when building new schools, there is a large investment in the design stage. When coming up with ideas and designs, they closely follow the actual situation, the school's needs and room forecasts.

According to Mr. Van, teachers' participation right from the design stage will overcome the previous "turnkey" weaknesses.

Because teachers have a firm grasp of the number of students, they forecast a large number of students in the coming years. At the same time, teachers clearly understand each need and utility of the room, thereby using the designs effectively and to their full capacity.

"Currently, according to regulations, school design does not require an architectural design competition, but there are some places that do it.

Architectural design competitions are usually for large projects and take an additional six months, so not all schools can do it. However, currently, school construction has invested heavily in design to create highlights and new spaces to help schools escape the traditional spatial motif," Mr. Van commented.

According to Mr. Van, school is the second home of children. Newly renovated schools today aim to be environmentally friendly, ensuring open space, large campuses, and a green tree system that creates a good space to meet learning needs. Creating a comfortable space will ensure better teaching and learning quality for students in the city.

Although the school was built decades ago, when the corridor was invested in a new architectural style, the space of Tran Hung Dao Secondary School became brighter - Photo: TRUONG TRUNG

Spread throughout the city

Nowadays, the design of new schools is not only in the central districts of Da Nang but also in many districts and counties. Some schools from kindergarten to grade 12 have been newly built, brightening up the entire residential area.

In 2023, the Danang Association of Architects also announced the architectural works that won the 2023 Sao Bien Architecture Award.

In which, Trung Vuong Secondary School won the first prize. This award has many meanings, including raising awareness of green buildings, green architecture, promoting the aesthetic, economic and environmental values ​​of new buildings.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/truong-hoc-thanh-diem-nhan-canh-quan-202408232251099.htm