SCHOOLS

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DEBRECEN, HUNGARY
 Architects: BORD Architectural Studio
 Area:7400.0 m²
 Year:2019
 Photographs:Gyorgy Palko
 Manufacturers: Graphisoft SE
 Head Architect: Peter Bordas
 Architect Team: Anna Illes, Robert Gulyas, Andras Keki, Csilla Kracker, Emese Kulcsar, Tamas
Mezey, Balazs Moser, Istvan Ulmann
 Client: Municipality of Debrecen
 General Design: BORD Architectural Studio
 Coordinating Architect: Gyorgyi Puspoki, Kata Zih
 Landscape Architecture: BORD Architectural Studio - Andrea Waldmann
 Mechanical Engineering: BORD Architectural Studio - Zoltan Hollokovi
 Structural Engineering: Hydrastat Mernoki Iroda - Zsigmond Dezso
 Visualization: Homologue - Zoltan Olbey
 Mock Up: Limes Model - Geza Csizmazia
 Capacity: 500 students
 Years Of Design: 2017-2018

Text description provided by the architects. Our concept for the International School
of Debrecen was based on the form of a circle. This simple, yet symbolic shape traditionally
means protection, union and community, while it softly blends into the neighbouring forest
area of the Natura 2000 protected 'Nagyerdő'.

The site is located near Nagyerdő, the city park of Debrecen (the second largest city of
Hungary), in a developing and popular residential area called ‘Pallag’. This calm, natural
environment provides an excellent background for a school. However, it was a great
challenge to design a contemporary building that fits into its green surroundings, while it
represents the qualities of the International School with its characteristic, iconic and unique
appearance. The key of the design concept was to create a shape, which goes far beyond
its built borders and integrates in the natural environment.

A circle, with its simple shape is the symbol of spontaneously formed human groups without
any differentiations. A cluster ofpeople who gather either for a discourse between equals or
for paying attention to a single one of them. An area surrounded by a circle melts together
groups or individuals. The circle with its primary simplicity symbolizes the union of space
and community. It is also a symbol of the borders of existence, or in other words, of our
created world.

We considered the woods as an illustration of nature and science – the ultimate symbols of
the whole world. In this way, the forest becomes part of the designed object and it is crucial
for them to belong to the same circle. Applying the forest as this kind of illustration requires
no changes in its inner structure or appearance. The organically changing pathways are
from the essence of the forest and they live harmoniously together. Virtually integrating the
surrounding natural area, our concept of the ring has been completed by the pathways that
lead into the woods.

Throughout the 'gates' that open to the direction of the forest, nature becomes accessible
for children and the pathways formed by them recreate their connection to nature time after
time.

The building accommodates different-sized groups and communities of about 500 students.
They are from three different age groups with rather different needs, whose areas are all
placed on the ring, but they are separated from each other. For the youngest children, we
created a completely independent world inside the building. There are also two individual
entrances: one for kindergarten and elementary school and another one for high school
students. The latter one is considered as the main entrance of the complex. A whole area
was separated for the sheer usage of kindergarten children and primary school students.
Community areas, administration offices, an auditorium and a restaurant are positioned on
the ground floor while the second, more quiet and tranquil floor is preserved for learning.

The pavilion-like classrooms are positioned creating longitudinal, dynamically pulsing

spaces between them. This structure is continued outdoors, to the direction of the forest,
following the circular line and creating garden areas as a transition between the built and
natural habitat.

The volume of the building protects the outdoor community spaces and
sports facilities. From the level of the classrooms, bridge-like structures
lead to the basketball-court. Elevated from the ground, it provides visual
connection to the football pitch. Half under the ground, the sports hall is
covered by a concrete slab. On the ground floor, students are welcomed by
an inner garden that is shaded with trees.

In front of the school, we created a drop off-pick up zone for parents to

avoid parking when their kids arrive at or leave the school. Students then
enter the protective atmosphere of the school through a short walk in a
forest like park that tunes them for school. This green area embraces the
school providing a genuine, peaceful environment.

The volume of the building protects the outdoor community

spaces and sports facilities. From the level of the classrooms,
bridge-like structures lead to the basketball-court. Elevated from
the ground, it provides visual connection to the football pitch. Half
under the ground, the sports hall is covered by a concrete slab.
On the ground floor, students are welcomed by an inner garden
that is shaded with trees.

In front of the school, we created a drop off-pick up zone for

parents to avoid parking when their kids arrive at or leave the
school. Students then enter the protective atmosphere of the
school through a short walk in a forest like park that tunes them
for school. This green area embraces the school providing a
genuine, peaceful environment.