brazilian architecture firm andrade morettin arquitectos was challenged to insert an innovative educational project in an estate built in an old industrial district in the central area of sao paulo. the school would hold 1,000 students, ranging from elementary school to high school and had to be all accommodated in an inclusive space. their winning proposal was based on creating a whole structure, by keeping the existing industrial warehouses and adding new elements to cater to each age group, allowing integration among students of different ages.

all images © nelson kon
 
 
andrade morettin arquitectos? proposal encourages ongoing interaction between students, teachers, coordinators and employees by providing them with common areas that host diverse functions. the old industrial sheds, rustic and gigantic for a school, were repurposed to hold all the educuational activities and areas. the structures already brought in sufficient natural lighting and ventilation to the spaces, creating a pleasant learning environment. the sheds also represent a solid heritage for the area within sao paulo, providing meaningful history in the site.
 
 
by making use of the history and heritage of the sheds as monumental structures, the architects designed new elements capable of accommodating specific school activities. simultaneously, they introduced the appropriate scale and finishing materials in order to better utilize the existing spaces. all the new elements are built with li...