KSI Rabat

Location: Rabat, Morocco
Scope: Primary & Secondary IB Schools
Area: 7,118 m²
Completion Date: Feasibility & Concept
Client: Knightsbridge Schools International
Architect: Studio Seilern Architects
Visualizations: Panoptikon

The project brief called for the development of new learning environment for Knightsbridge Schools International (KSI) in Rabat, Morocco.

The scheme was split into two distinct sites: the secondary school site that is located to the north and the primary school on the southern half of the site, with a drop-off road separating the two.

Community interaction is central to the KSI ethos and drove the entire project brief. The design strategy for the primary school promotes interaction by creating groupings of connected classrooms all of which belong to the same school year. Each cluster is then integrated along the principal circulation route to the rest of the school’s facilities, such as the library, indoor sports halls, assembly and dining halls.The secondary school strategy also draws on the idea of clusters and shared study rooms by year or specialised subject classrooms, which then also connect with the circulation, cafeteria, library and assembly and dining halls.

Exterior space requirements are as important as the classrooms, with the provision for outdoor sports facilities, informal and social spaces as essential as the buildings.

Creating an acoustic buffer between the neighbouring residential areas, and the sports and play area, the buildings are situated as far away as possible, to avoid disturbing the neighbourhood, while taking advantage of the green tree-lined avenue to the west of the site. The primary and secondary school creates a green buffer between the residential area in the East and the commercial area in the West.

Forming the southern edge of the site, the primary school is formed of a distinctive architecture of raised gardens and extended balconies.

The Secondary school building along the eastern edge of the site, forms a street front and buffer between the existing residential ‘quartier’, at the school site.