Elementary School in London by Will Alsop

It must somehow leave a mark on a person whether they grew up in a kindergarten by Will Alsop or in a standardized pavilion in a Czech housing estate. London parents can take their little ones to the Peckham public library or enroll them at the local University of London, which includes the Ben Pimlott Building until 2005 (both buildings are by Alsop). However, there are several developmental phases missing between the university and the kindergarten, which Alsop is gradually adding to his portfolio.
Just a few days ago, his office won a commissioned international competition for the Michael Faraday Primary School in the London district of Southwark. The project is part of the city’s development plan, which aims to transform a former industrial area on the southwestern edge of the city center into an attractive residential and commercial district by 2016. The competition was jointly organized by RIBA, the "Southwark Schools for the Future" association, and the provider "Aylesbury New Deal for Communities."
The concept of Alsop's design is based on a central two-story atrium, around which the individual functions (classrooms, auditorium,...) are arranged in a circular manner. The most striking aspect from the outside is the colorful “puck-like” shape floating above the classrooms scattered below.
Even before the competition started, architects had the opportunity to discuss the concept with teachers and students. This extraordinary offer allowed architects to better understand the needs of future users and to integrate their demands into their designs. On the part of teachers and students, the credibility and competence of the architect in designing their school was strengthened. The architects originally planned a single-story linear building, which ultimately gave way to the multi-story central concept. Link>