Innovative Middle School and STEAM Hub by Flansburgh Architects: A Design Revolution

Description text provided by the designers. Saigon South International School is a private college preparatory institution catering to K-12 learners from over 40 nations, grounded in a culture of inquiry. This endeavor encompasses two new structures: a Middle School and a STEAM Design Center.

The STEAM Design Center comprises five scientific laboratories, two art classrooms, self-sufficient art studios, a 3D art and printmaking workshop, alongside an indoor/outdoor gallery. The Center offers high school attendees a platform to unleash their creativity, ignite their interests, and acquire crucial future-ready competencies within a transparent, highly adaptable, interdisciplinary educational atmosphere. The Middle School is crafted for learners in grades 6-8, with a focus on their emotional,

creative and physical development in mind. Skylit atriums promote teamwork and a feeling of community. Luminous, sunlit, spacious areas stimulate practical learning and nurture students’ innovation. They feature a 220 sqm black box performance space, a dance studio, classrooms, laboratories, group rooms, and creation areas. The library serves as a communal center for inquiry and discovery, while the gymnasium provides chances for physical pursuits, team sports, and community engagement events.

The two structures are intentionally placed on either side of a vast athletic field and green area. Their design complements one another with light hues and flowing lines that coexist harmoniously with their structured layout. Planters, drawing inspiration from the terraced rice paddies of Sa Pa, enhance the facility’s curvature, overflow with local flora, provide aesthetic appeal, and disrupt the building facade. The lively interaction of these components is highlighted when the breeze or rain animates the verdant greenery. The interiors of the atriums are adorned with bamboo, reflecting a dedication to local beauty and eco-friendliness while maximizing natural light. Each level of the building acts metaphorically as branches extending towards outdoor garden balconies and ultimately to the river, cultivating a continuous link between learning environments and the natural world.

The site is situated within a city formed by existing rivers. The two buildings are positioned within one of five pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use island districts. The school is accessible via pathways that lead into compact blocks, navigable by an engaging 10-minute walk. Anchored to the Dia Canal, the site’s position fortifies a sense of place, enhances visibility, and integrates into a broader campus serving the entire city. The new structures leverage their prominent setting. Curving balconies that echo the flowing waterway provide scenic views of the river. The two new buildings occupy previously underused spaces between existing campus structures to enhance a newly centralized green area.