Guideline

The studio’s expertise served as the foundation for a 260-page guideline on designing schools and kindergartens for ProShkola. The guideline is structured as a series of manuals covering various aspects of the design process.

This document addresses key areas of school and kindergarten design, from integrating modern educational methods to interior fit-out strategies. Below is a brief overview of each chapter and the tasks it addresses.

The guideline was developed not only for architects and designers, but also for project managers both from the client side and from design teams. To help monitor compliance with the guideline, we included checklists at the end of each chapter, enabling readers to track and ensure key design requirements are met.

The first chapter introduces an integrated approach to aligning the academic model with the physical environment.

The following chapter outlines spatial and technological design principles based on current trends in education, for example, how to support equitable learning within a single classroom setting.

Another chapter focuses on landscaping, based on the zoning of functional areas. It provides guidance on creating safe and accessible outdoor infrastructure, incorporating sustainable design principles, and considering environmental impact.

The next chapter brings together key principles for designing school and kindergarten façades, including modular façade systems that reflect the identity of the institution. It offers recommendations for reducing energy consumption, improving indoor microclimate, and creating an attractive building appearance.

One chapter is dedicated to optimizing spatial and layout solutions. It provides guidance on circulation flows and functional zoning within school and kindergarten buildings. A crucial aspect of this chapter is the focus on adaptable layouts that can be transformed over time to accommodate an unpredictable future. This section serves as a unique design manual in its depth and approach.

Two chapters analyze the school and kindergarten as a system of interrelated functional spaces. Each area is described in terms of layout, accompanied by visualizations and guidelines for essential furnishings and equipment. The following chapter complements this by providing finish requirements. This comprehensive and in-depth treatment of functional educational spaces is the first of its kind on the market.

Another chapter focuses on finishing materials, categorized into flooring, wall, and ceiling surfaces, along with specifications for doors, partitions, curtains, and more. The overarching principle here is cost optimization both in construction and long-term operation.

This chapter is also unique in the market, as it outlines requirements for indoor environmental quality and engineering systems. We believe that poorly designed or implemented MEP systems can negatively affect the learning process. 

The guideline consolidates all critical engineering decisions that need to be addressed during the design stage, along with specific recommendations for their implementation.

The guideline will be partially included in the upcoming book on school design that we are currently writing, and it will be made available to a wider audience. This is a monumental work which has no equivalent not only in Russia, but also in the world.

Nadezhda Fedotova, founder of the architectural studio NF