Competition Project#04 Palestinian School by Nour El Houda Djellali

School competition / Project Credits:

Name : Nour El Houda Djellali
Project Name : Al-Rayhan American School
Total Built Up Area : 24,000 sqm
3rd Place Winner, Lacasa Student Competition
Project location : West Bank, Ramallah, Palestine.

Concept :

As we go back into the history of Ramallah ,we can not separate the history of Ramallah from Albireh.

The historical & Archaeological studies indicate that the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) has
taken place in Ramallah & Al-Bireh ,not far from the current location of Al-Bireh , taking place on
the (caravan Route) south to north or vice versa .

So the question is why don’t we try to reflect our religion and culture in our project & feel proud
of it since its an educational project.

The site shows that the main road is located at the south & the secondary road at the north of
the school location ,which is the same route that the caravan used to travel between Ramallah
and Al-bireh to reach the well (where prophet Yusuf (Joseph) was thrown) for relaxing &
Recreation.& my concept tries to celebrate this historical event & create a sense of belonging
among the students of the school .

So when the students take this route to reach the school they recall the story. it starts out with
the dream of prophet Yusuf (Joseph) when he said to his father, "O my father, indeed I have seen
[in a dream] eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me.“ I reflected
this in our project by having an astronomy lab or outside learning area. Taking into consideration
the topography of the site , students should go few steps under the ground level to enter the lab
or the outside learning area. After it they could go out and reach a fountain & a sitting area (
which was in the story of the Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) as a well for relaxing & recreation ).

I transfer all these steps and process gradually by giving it a name “Spectrum Growth“ that leads
us to study the schools’ standard heights of doors, windows tables& the height of the floor levels
itself in a scientific way .

SPECTERUM GROWTH CONCEPT

AS THE KIDS GROW UP AND THERE HIEGHT CHANGE & INCREASE .

SO WE NEED TO TAKE INTO CONSIDIRATION THE STANDARD OF HIEGHTS FOR : DOORS, WINDOWS TO FEEL COMFORTABLE .

IF YOU HAVE LOOK AT THE PICTURES DOWN BELOW .
THE KINDER MASS WILL BE ONLY A GROUND FLOOR LEVEL FOR SECURITY ISSUES
THE PRIMARY SCHOOL OUT OF 3 LEVELS
THE SECONDAY SCHOOL OUT OF G+ 4 LEVELS AS THE STUDENT GR

THE FIRST MASS THAT THE STUDENT , PERANTS AND VISITORS FACE IS THE ADMINISTRATION MASS TO SERVE THE PEOPLE EASILY AND IT IS DESIGNED IN A WAY LOOKS LIKE A (GATE) TO GIVE US AN INDICATION THAT IT IS THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE SCHOOL.

THE SECOND MASS THAT WE HAVE DIRECTLY AFTER THE ADMINISTRATION MASS IS THE PRIMARY SCHOOL ( KINDERGARDEN & GRADE 1TO6 ) WHICH IS NEAR THE CAR PARKING FOR SAFETY REASON AND EACH GROUP OF STUDENT HAVE THERE OWN OUTDOOR AREA.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST THE SECONDARY SCHOOL MASS ATTACHED TO THE COMMON FACILITY MASS AND NEAR TO THE BUSS PARKING.

THE COMMON FACILITY MASS LOCATED SOME HOW AT MIDDLE OF THE SCHOOL TO SERVE ALL THE STUDENTS EASILY

Circulation :

BY CREATING THESE AXIS LINES WE ARE CREATING AND OFFERING SUCH AN ENCLOSURE AND GATHERING AREA FOR THE STUDENT TO PLAY , LEARN AND ENJOY.

PROVIDING A SKYLIGHT AT THE TOP by CREATING AN ATRIUM ,WILL LIGHT THE
CORRIDORS THAT THE STUDENTS ARE GOING TO USE IT FOR BREAK OUT AREAS AND OTHER PURPOSES.

LIGHTING:

BY ROTATING THE SECONDARY SCHOOL MASS IN A SPACIFIC ANGLE AND CREATING A BRIDGE CONNECTING THE PRIMARY SCHOOL MASS WITH THE COMMON FACILITY.

WE WILL END UP HAVING A FOCAL POINT ORIENTING US TO THE SPORTS FACILTY ,BY GOING BACK TO THE IDEA OF THE GATE WE EXTENED THE END OF THE MASSES TO GIVE US THE FEELING OF A BIG ENTRANCE.

MAKING IT MORE FUNCTIONAL AND CREATING A VERTICAL CIRCULATION ON IT SO THAT EACH GROUP OF STUDENTS CAN GO BACK TO THERE CLASSES EASILY.

Palestinian School / Graphic files:

First Floor Palns 01:

Second and Third Floor Paln:

Fourth Floor Paln:

Section:

Perspective view: