Marymount Learning Park

Sep 16, 2024By David Ladino

DL

Marymount Learning Park:

THE BLUE RIBBON

The proposal for the Learning Park at Marymount School is conceived as a vibrant educational ecosystem where architecture and nature coexist in harmony and dynamism. The project is organized around a fluid architectural ribbon that interlinks learning spaces with green areas, creating an environment that stimulates creativity and collaboration. The BLUE RIBBON, a symbol of institutional pride and excellence for the school, acts as a connecting thread between the buildings, reinforcing campus cohesion and ensuring comfortable and safe circulation. At the heart of the park is the Creativity Commons, designed as a hub for innovation and multidisciplinary learning. Its modular and open spaces encourage interaction and the exchange of ideas among students. The Dining Commons and the Chapel are arranged to offer a welcoming atmosphere that reflects the school’s identity, emphasizing the importance of natural light and connection with the surrounding vegetation. The Chapel’s volume, with its curved roof rising above the entrance facade, symbolizes the significance of spirituality in the school’s life, abstracting the union of hands in prayer. Our design prioritizes flexibility and adaptability, allowing the spaces to evolve with future educational needs.

The bioclimatic design of the Learning Park at Marymount School embraces the harmonious integration of architecture and the natural environment, fostering sustainability and comfort. The project’s central concept—a fluid architectural ribbon connecting learning spaces with green areas—allows for optimal natural ventilation and passive cooling throughout the campus. The ribbon design facilitates airflow, reducing the reliance on mechanical cooling systems and promoting a more energy-efficient building operation. The positioning of structures also considers solar orientation, with large openings and strategically placed shading devices that optimize daylight use while minimizing heat gain. This balance enhances visual comfort and reduces energy consumption for artificial lighting.

Green spaces surrounding the educational buildings not only provide a sense of tranquility and interaction with nature but also serve as natural buffers against temperature extremes. Vegetation is used to regulate microclimates, reduce the urban heat island effect, and support rainwater management through infiltration and evapotranspiration. The presence of native and adaptive plants ensures low-maintenance landscaping that enhances biodiversity while requiring minimal irrigation.

The Creativity Commons, with its open and modular design, benefits from cross-ventilation strategies and ample natural light, creating a healthy, comfortable learning environment. The use of adaptable spaces reflects the bioclimatic principle of flexibility, allowing the environment to respond to changing external conditions as well as evolving educational needs.

The Dining Commons and Chapel emphasize the role of natural light in enhancing the user experience, with expansive windows and skylights inviting daylight deep into the spaces, reducing the need for artificial lighting. The curved roof of the Chapel, a symbolic gesture towards spirituality, is also designed to optimize water collection for rainwater harvesting, further enhancing the sustainability of the project.

Overall, the Learning Park is conceived as a living system that responds to its environment, creating a dynamic, energy-efficient campus that fosters well-being, creativity, and ecological responsibility.

Source. DEB