Novopecherska school

Location

Novopecherska school is a private full-time school, designed for 450 students. It is located in the residential complex Novopechersky Lypky in the Pechersk district of Kyiv. 

Before works

When the landscape architect is involved at the early stages of construction, it allows for more interaction with the space and thus a better understanding of what the project needs to be successful. For example, in the Novopechersk School project, in comparison with the priority project, the main entrance was completely changed, the configuration of the stairs was simplified and the dining area was arranged with a welcoming landscaping.

Site visit

As there is a large density of high-rise buildings around the school, one of our main goals was to bring the feeling of the surrounding nature into the design.

Search for the concept

All project decisions were based on the needs of the main user - the school children.

Master Plan

Novopecherska school is the project of NGO 'Osvitoria', which is reforming education in Ukraine. The methodology of the school is to combine the standards of Ukrainian educational program with the world's educational innovations. The school space is innovative:

• The cental square for school celebrations. On both sides of the school building are green areas — terraces that create welcoming inner yard space.
• Space for preschoolers.
• Sports and play area of the backyard.
• Amphitheater that reminds a starry sky.

Main entrance and central square

The square at the front of the school is open and provides a gathering space for school celebrations. The paving pattern unifies the areas and maintains the visual integrity throughout each space. 

Playground for preschoolers

Stationary seat walls were placed throughout the school area.They are less visible and more people can use them at a time. 
Taking into account the seasonality of the school, we chose vegetation with maximum decorative qualities in autumn, spring and winter. 

Central playground for active games

Currently, in the Ukraine typical playground equipment that are installed in parks and residential complexes have linear functions. For example, the slide has a known task — the child should go up, sit down and slide, there are no other options. Our ambition is to create a creative children's world that will allow children to invent different game scenarios and develop imaginations. The playground equipment from 'Kompan' were installed on the backyard square and were first brought to Ukraine specially for the project. 

Sports area

P.E. teacher Vasyl Leskiv actively participated in the design of sports areas. He proposed to make a petanque court and trampoline for ski jump. We individually designed it and stadium tribunes. 

Amphitheater — starry sky

Firstly, car parking was planned for teachers in the area near the swimming pool. However, to occupy a valuable area by cars, which are empty during the day — not rationally. We adhered to the maximum space use by the main users — children. Parking was replaced by a green amphitheater for outdoor activities, and underground parking was built for cars. The space above the underground parking is also used effectively - there is a green lawn for experiments.