/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'

School in 'UNIT.City'

Years
2022 —
Location
Ukraine, Kyiv
Type
Project area
2 ha
Cooperation
NGO Osvitoria
State
Concept Design
Objective
To develop the school’s landscape, creating a space that not only meets educational needs but also integrates nature into the urban environment, fostering ecological awareness and the creative development of students.
Challenge
To design a natural yet engaging space that teaches children to care for and interact with nature, instilling love, tolerance for all living things, and encouraging creativity, freedom, and spontaneity.
Solution
Various natural environments were created, open to interaction and play, supporting ecosystem integrity by attracting insects and birds, utilizing rainwater efficiently, and requiring minimal maintenance. A playful design was developed in the form of sticker-like character illustrations, each with a unique name and personality, adding an emotional dimension and encouraging children to engage with their surroundings. These approaches ensure a harmonious blend of nature and education, fostering ecological awareness and creative thinking among students.

Location

The school in UNIT.City is a general education institution with a STEM focus, integrated into the innovative UNIT.City park. Located between the Dorohozhychi and Lukianivska metro stations, the school combines modern educational infrastructure with the technological environment of the campus.

/ School in 'UNIT.City'

The school has three main entrances:

  • From the residential area – providing convenient access for residents of nearby buildings.
  • From UNIT.City – via the Central Square and Market Square, integrating the school into the overall structure of the innovation park.
  • To the stadium and sports area – a separate entrance allowing UNIT.City residents to use the space outside school hours.
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
Aerial Photography of the Current State of the Territory / School in 'UNIT.City'
Aerial Photography of the Current State of the Territory
Fire Truck Access and Main Entrances Plan / School in 'UNIT.City'
Fire Truck Access and Main Entrances Plan

Concept

The core of the space is the harmonious coexistence of people and nature in an urban environment. The landscape fosters ecological awareness and teaches the responsible use of resources—rainwater is collected for irrigation, biodiversity is encouraged, and the ecosystem is supported by attracting insects, birds, and other wildlife. Respect for nature translates into social tolerance, fostering a sense of responsibility and care for the environment in children.

Another key aspect is creativity and freedom. The space is designed to inspire play, interaction, and discovery. Its design follows the principle of vibrant, scattered elements—playgrounds, sports areas, pathways, plazas, lawns, large trees, and greenery create a unique composition reminiscent of stickers or playful decals. The lightness and spontaneity of these elements reinforce the idea of play, creativity, and self-expression.

/ School in 'UNIT.City'

To enhance the idea of play and interaction, we created “Liponky”—sticker-like characters, each with a name and a unique connection to a specific part of the school grounds.

Liponka Amfi lives in the amphitheater, inviting children to gather and take part in creative performances. Liponka Do takes care of the plants in the rain garden, reminding everyone of the importance of nature and ecological awareness. Liponky Go and Dru encourage adventure, play, and fun with friends. Liponka Dan brings warmth and welcomes everyone who seeks comfort and relaxation.

These characters do more than add a playful touch—they create an emotional bond between children and their surroundings, transforming the space into a world of exploration, creativity, and friendship.

/ School in 'UNIT.City'

Master Plan

The school grounds are designed to be not only functional but also interactive and closely connected to nature. The environment encourages learning, play, relaxation, and exploration.

The site includes an entrance area with a waiting zone for parents, an outdoor plaza with an art installation and a green island for relaxation, a covered bike parking area with cherry trees, a large lawn with an amphitheater, various playgrounds for different age groups, a spacious sports zone, outdoor classrooms, an open-air dining area, a rain garden, a multifunctional inner courtyard, a green corner, and a service zone.

All these spaces are seamlessly connected, forming a unified ecosystem for education and interaction. A circular route around the school ensures access for service vehicles.

The landscape features a mix of plantings, including a pine grove, an alley, fruit orchards, and standalone specimen trees. The vegetation is carefully selected to change throughout the seasons, adding dynamic color and texture while remaining low-maintenance and well-adapted to urban conditions.

Master Plan / School in 'UNIT.City'
Master Plan

Entrance Area

The school's main entrance is designed to provide convenient and safe access for all users. It is located along an external project street, allowing easy arrival by car or bicycle.

Parking bays are placed along the sidewalk, keeping the entrance area open and free of traffic. A designated waiting zone for parents allows them to pick up their children without entering the school grounds.

A spacious covered bike parking area is also available, encouraging cycling among students and teachers while promoting a healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle.

/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'

Outdoor Plaza / Public Art

In front of the school entrance lies an open plaza, providing a spacious area for gatherings, relaxation, and waiting. Its rectangular shape emphasizes the architectural composition of the building, creating a clean and structured environment.

At the center, a green island with benches offers shade and a comfortable resting spot. A large, mature tree stands separately, adding a natural touch and a sense of coziness to the space.

A striking public art installation serves as the focal point of the plaza, marking the area with a unique identity and enhancing the welcoming atmosphere at the school's entrance.

/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'

Large Lawn with Amphitheater

This green space acts as a seamless transition between the plaza and the children's area for younger students, blending open space with a natural environment.

At its core lies a spacious lawn with an amphitheater, surrounded by dense greenery that creates an intimate and sheltered atmosphere, adding comfort and a sense of enclosure.

The lawn is a multifunctional space, ideal for outdoor lessons, theatrical performances, sports activities, or simply relaxing on the grass. It is a place that encourages interaction, creativity, and discovery.

/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'

Junior School

The playground for the junior school is designed to provide a comfortable and safe environment for children of different ages. The space is divided into multiple zones, allowing various groups of children to play and interact freely without restrictions on movement.

Both active zones for dynamic play and quiet areas for relaxation and creative activities are incorporated. A large pergola and shaded canopies offer protection from heat and bad weather, ensuring a comfortable microclimate year-round.

The play elements are made of wood, making the space not only visually appealing but also tactilely pleasant and environmentally friendly.

/ School in 'UNIT.City'

Sports Zone

The sports zone is designed for active recreation and physical development, featuring a variety of courts and training spaces. The central element is a large stadium adjacent to the junior school area. To create a comfortable separation between these spaces, a hedge and a row of trees form a natural barrier along the stadium.

In addition to the stadium, the area includes a basketball court, running tracks, a long jump area, and various training equipment. Spectator stands provide a convenient place for rest and observation.

For added convenience, the sports zone features storage facilities and changing rooms with showers, which can also be used by external residents outside of school hours.

/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'

Pergola

The junior school classrooms have direct access to the outdoors, allowing students to move freely between indoor and outdoor spaces. In front of each classroom, cozy terraces provide areas for outdoor lessons or relaxation during breaks.

Between the classrooms, small green zones with cherry trees and flowering shrubs enhance the natural atmosphere, making the space more inviting and calming.

A pergola runs along the walkway, providing shade on hot days and serving as a natural barrier between the learning areas and the stadium, creating a more secluded and comfortable environment for the students.

/ School in 'UNIT.City'

Middle & High School Play Area

This space is designed specifically for middle and high school students, considering their need for freedom, movement, and informal communication. The play elements are arranged as if placed randomly by the students themselves, creating a sense of spontaneity and ease. The space encourages play, exploration, and interaction, forming a unique play landscape that expands opportunities for active recreation.

The central feature is a custom-designed play structure with slides, resembling a space station. It offers panoramic views from the upper level and provides numerous scenarios for play, adventure, and discovery.

The play area integrates various activity zones, including play hills, a trampoline zone, and a natural space with stones and logs that support tactile development and interaction with nature. A pergola and a green lawn offer cozy spots for socializing, relaxation, and group activities.

This space is designed as a dynamic environment where students can move, play, explore, and connect, fostering a sense of freedom, creativity, and self-expression.

/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'

Inner Courtyard

The inner courtyard has an oval shape, accentuated by a smooth concrete surface, and is set slightly apart from the school building. This creates a buffer zone that extends the activities of the ground-floor lobby and smoothly transitions the indoor space into the outdoor environment. This gradual shift helps ease the transition from the interior scale to the openness of the plaza.

Aside from a large tree that defines the character of the space, the courtyard remains open, ensuring flexibility in its use. Small green plantings, tables, ping-pong tables, and other activity areas are placed around the perimeter, leaving the central space free for various scenarios.

During large events, the courtyard can merge with the adjacent lawn, expanding the area for gatherings. Beyond the lawn, a spacious terrace with a pergola and benches offers a comfortable place for relaxation, observation, and informal interactions, seamlessly complementing the dynamic life of the school.

/ School in 'UNIT.City'

Rain Garden

A pathway to the school runs through the rain garden from the residential part of UNIT.City. Due to its lower elevation, the walkway appears to float above the landscape, creating an immersive natural experience for students as they make their way to school. Dense greenery, water features, and varied terrain establish an atmosphere of untamed nature, encouraging observation, play, and interaction.

Beyond its role in water conservation, the garden remains an active space for exploration and engagement with natural processes. Subtle lighting fixtures add a sense of mystery in the evening, blending harmoniously with the tree trunks and surrounding landscape.

Situated in a lower-lying area, the garden effectively collects rainwater from paved walkways and adjacent open spaces. This is particularly valuable during heavy downpours, as it allows water to gradually absorb into the soil and nourish the plants rather than overloading the drainage system. The vegetation is carefully selected to withstand occasional flooding, ensuring the garden remains resilient and adaptable to changes in moisture levels.

/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'

Dining Area

The dining area is set among lush greenery, creating the ambiance of an open garden. To form cozy, private spaces, the terrace extends in different directions, shaping natural pockets for relaxation. Between these pockets, small hills with decorative plants enhance the sense of immersion in nature.

Large windows offer a picturesque view of the natural garden, adding a sense of tranquility and harmony to the space. This is not just a place to eat but also a setting where students can connect with nature, take a break from the learning process, and enjoy a moment of calm.

/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'
/ School in 'UNIT.City'

Strategy + design — Other Land

Web development — Perevorot.com