Quantum is a new network of private schools in Kazakhstan, which differ in their educational approach. It is based on the Singapore education system. The first school of the network has already been built and is operating in the city of Nursultan, so the main task of ATRIUM studio in this project was to reflect a new pedagogical approach in the architecture of the school, as well as to maintain continuity with the first object of the network.
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Unlike the first school in Nursultan, the new school with 36 classes in Almaty has a higher status. It is located in a prestigious suburban area at the foot of the mountains. Most of the trees on the school site are listed in the Red Book, so the building had to be located in such a way as to preserve them, as well as comply with strict height regulations: the height of buildings along the Al Farabi road should not exceed 12 meters. Thus, the limitations of the site dictated the elongated shape of the building, and the unique mountain landscape dictated the idea of permeability.
The school building consists of two volumes, at their junction a glass atrium appears - a space that connects the school building with nature, and also forms a through view of the mountains.
The central lobby demonstrates an innovative approach to education and the principle of visual openness. This space is the hallmark of the school. The lobby is designed by analogy with the central city square and becomes the main public space for the school, where children will learn to communicate, interact with each other and live in society.
The 18-meter difference in relief on the site made it possible to design multi-level spaces inside the building. This is how a central amphitheater appeared in the main lobby of the high school, which runs through the multi-light space of the lobby into the library. The library itself is a mezzanine, the soaring volume of which becomes a self-sufficient element of the school’s interior.
On the intermediate floor of the building there is a sports area with a large swimming pool, gym, gym and choreography rooms, and on the third floor there are classrooms.
Primary school students have their own lobby, library, classrooms, which are illuminated by skylights, as well as a separate entrance to the building. On the second floor there is a large dining hall for all school students, next to which there are cooking clubs, an assembly hall, music classes and school administration.
To make the most of the area, other spaces for sports, recreation and interaction are integrated into the site: a multi-purpose sports ground, a work-out area and play areas are located between the trees, and a running track has been designed around the school building.
| Location | Kazakhstan, Almaty |
| Site area | 1,7 Ha |
| Total area | 10 902 sq. m. |
| Project Team | Anton Nadtochiy, Vera Butko, Petr Alimov, Galutkina Anastasia, Kotlova Ekaterina |
