The elementary school Alojzije Stepinac was designed in a compact residential zone in the neighbourhood Vrbani on a very narrow and visually pushed in parcel. The school is formed as a single-volume indivisible whole formed of a school and sports hall which are both in functionality and in construction related to its function as one single entity. Where as the school is shaped to seem like one volume, the disposition of the spaces was set up to unify the communal communication spaces to work as one volume.While entering into the building it is possible to visually perceive the school’s whole interactive space, while the classrooms are protected as places of study and concentration…
The classrooms are setup along the north and south axis of the volume, in between the floors and according to the programme areas. The axis halls work as balconies and are oriented towards each other forming in between a unique space of mutual interaction of the different classrooms, mulituse spaces, library, etc. That multi-level unique space is lit through opening on the facada as well as at the zenith.
Apart from the primary vertical communication areas, there is also secondary connections (stairs and a ramp) in between floor levels. The housekeeping/kitchen is on the end of the building along with its corresponding courtyard and direct access to the main street. For the facade A1 dark blue perforated panels were used that had thematic prints (books, basketball, etc.) on certain parts, while the interior is envisioned as a total contrast – an explosion of vivid colors that create a ‘live’ kernel within the school. With a unified and calm shaping of the facade and sturdy dynamic volumes a contrast was created from the play of various shapes and colors that make the surrounding buildings.
