Architecture

RIBA names beautiful Brazilian boarding school world's best new building

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Children Village provides boarding school accommodation for over 500 children aged between 13 to 18
Leonardo Finotti
Children Village is located on the edge of the rainforest in northern Brazil
Leonardo Finotti
Children Village was designed by Gustavo Utrabo and Petro Duschenes from Aleph Zero, along with Rosenbaum's Marcelo Rosenbaum and Adriana Benguela
Leonardo Finotti
Children Village provides boarding school accommodation for over 500 children aged between 13 to 18
Leonardo Finotti
Many of Children Village's pupils hail from remote areas of Brazil 
Leonardo Finotti
The 25,000 sq m (270,000 sq ft) Children Village is split into two identical parts: one for girls and another for boys
Leonardo Finotti
Impressively, despite the tropical climate, which can reach around 45° C (113 degrees Fahrenheit), the interior of Children Village provides a comfortable environment without air-conditioning
Leonardo Finotti
Children Village's architects worked closely with the kids and asked them what they wanted and needed to be comfortable away from home
Leonardo Finotti
"I am delighted that Aleph Zero and Rosenbaum have been recognized for their impressive work," says RIBA President Ben Derbyshire
Leonardo Finotti
"Aleph Zero are philosophical and thoughtful architects and Rosenbaum is known for their work with local communities," adds RIBA President Ben Derbyshire. "Children Village provides an exceptional environment designed to improve the lives and wellbeing of the school’s children, and illustrates the immeasurable value of good educational design"
Leonardo Finotti
Children Village's residences are arranged around large and well-shaded courtyards at ground level
Leonardo Finotti
Children Village's first floor includes spaces like reading nooks and television rooms, balconies and hammocks
Leonardo Finotti
Children Village includes communal areas 
Leonardo Finotti
Children Village provides boarding school accommodation for over 500 children aged between 13 to 18 who are attending Canuanã School
Leonardo Finotti
Many of Children Village's pupils hail from remote areas of Brazil
Leonardo Finotti
Children Village is located on the edge of the rainforest in northern Brazil
Leonardo Finotti
Impressively, despite the tropical climate, which can reach around 45° C (113 degrees Fahrenheit), the interior of Children Village provides a comfortable environment without air-conditioning
Leonardo Finotti
The 25,000 sq m (270,000 sq ft) Children Village is split into two identical parts: one for girls and another for boys
Leonardo Finotti
View gallery - 17 images

A wooden boarding school dormitory located on the edge of a rainforest in northern Brazil has been declared the world's best new building. Children Village was chosen from a longlist of 62 projects to receive the prestigious RIBA 2018 International Prize.

RIBA (the Royal Institute of British Architects) inaugurated the International Prize in 2016 with Peru's "modern day Machu Picchu" by Grafton Architects. The prize isn't awarded to the flashiest or most expensive build, but rather to a project that RIBA's judges feel exemplifies design excellence and architectural ambition, as well as delivering meaningful social impact.

Children Village certainly meets all three criteria. The beautiful wooden building provides accommodation for over 500 children aged between 13 to 18 who are attending the Canuanã School. It's one of 40 schools in Brazil funded by the Bradesco Foundation, which ensures education for disadvantaged children in rural communities across the country.

Children Village provides boarding school accommodation for over 500 children aged between 13 to 18 who are attending Canuanã School
Leonardo Finotti

Architects Gustavo Utrabo and Petro Duschenes from Aleph Zero, along with Rosenbaum's Marcelo Rosenbaum and Adriana Benguela, worked closely with the kids and asked what they needed to feel comfortable away from home.

The result is a 25,000 sq m (270,000 sq ft) complex split into two identical parts: one for girls and another for boys. Residences are arranged around large courtyards at ground level, while the first floor includes communal spaces like reading nooks, television rooms, balconies, and hammocks.

The residences themselves host just six children at a time (previous dormitories housed 40 kids to a room) and each room has its own toilet, shower room, and laundry.

Children Village's residences are arranged around large and well-shaded courtyards at ground level
Leonardo Finotti

Impressively, despite the tropical local climate, which can reach around 45° C (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in summer, Children Village ensures a comfortable interior without any air-conditioning.

This is achieved passively, with a large canopy roof offering lots of shade. Additionally, perforated earth blocks chosen for their excellent thermal properties were made on-site. Wooden slats are used to improve ventilation and rainwater is reused for irrigating the garden. One gets the sense of a building perfectly suited to its location and purpose.

"I am delighted that Aleph Zero and Rosenbaum have been recognized for their impressive work," says RIBA President Ben Derbyshire. "Aleph Zero are philosophical and thoughtful architects and Rosenbaum is known for their work with local communities. Children Village provides an exceptional environment designed to improve the lives and wellbeing of the school's children, and illustrates the immeasurable value of good educational design."

Source: RIBA

View gallery - 17 images
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