Post Disaster School by Vin Varavarn Architects wins the 2017 Barbara Cappochin International Prize for Architecture

Baan Huay Sarn Yaw School (Post Disaster School) by architect Varavarn Varudh of Vin Varavarn Architects has won the eighth Barbara Cappochin International Prize for Architecture. The project was created during the reconstruction project promoted by Design for Disasters (D4D), a programme involving construction of nine school buildings by nine emerging Thai architects.

Earthquake-resistance was an essential requirement for the new buildings, constructed after the terrible earthquake that struck Thailand’s Chiang Rai province in 2014. The project had to be easy to build with local unskilled labour on a low budget.

The architects opted for strong>a single construction containing the three classrooms, dividing them with light dividing walls to reduce the amount of land required. Structural elements are left visible for two reasons: to convey a sense of security and stability to users and minimise finishing work so as to keep costs down. The big pitched roof permitted creation of an intermediate area between the inside and the outside of the school, with vases arranged around the perimeter of the building creating a colourful railing to prevent the children from leaning over too far. A very special, poetic solution conveying to the children an important message about how nature can sometimes be pitiless and terrible, but at other times it brings joy and colour to our lives.

(Agnese Bifulco)

Design: Vin Varavarn Architects
Location: Chiang Rai, Thailand

Images courtesy of Biennale Internazionale di Architettura Barbara Cappochin http://www.bcbiennial.info

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