Runner up - Colegio Bureche, Santa Marta, Colombia

Architects of Colegio Bureche, a private bilingual school for Columbian children, were asked to design a building to reflect the school’s ethos.

Juan Manuel Pelaez, architect, said: “The school is committed to developing a sense of independence, joy for learning, leadership skills and a commitment to searching for a better quality of life in its pupils.

“The architecture is therefore not introverted or monotonously enclosing, but a place full of exciting tropical exuberance for pupils to explore and discover. Columbia’s geography, particularly around Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, gave us enomous opportunity. We just worked to enhance its natural characteristics.

“Architects of school and educational spaces must understand the landscape they are working with and be in tune with how children want to use their space.  Spaces and landscape educate.”

The building is surrounded by the majestic snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains and nearby Tayrona National Park. Its linear layout, with a succession of classrooms and other areas, including a swimming pool, was chosen after considering the direction of the sun and wind. It also took into account 17 trees growing on the site, which have been left in place to provide areas of shade for pupils.

Pupil comments include: “The classrooms are big and have natural light” and “My school has many palm trees, a swimming pool and teachers from different cities. It is the most beautiful school in Santa Marta”.

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