To counter the flooding risk caused by this rainforest region’s dramatic deforestation rate for palm oil plantations, the riverside school for plantation workers’ children stands atop repurposed shipping containers and an artificial mound made of soil excavated for a water harvesting pond. Its modular design, easily extendable and repeatable, features classrooms around a wide verandah. The spaces are flexible, conceived for anything from traditional teaching to dance workshops. They are reached via either a staircase, two ladders, or the mound’s slopes, becoming a place for exploration. Their open design allows natural lighting and ventilation. Power is supplied by rooftop solar panels. Materials are natural, recycled, or assembled to anticipate future reuse. Additional facilities include a library/computer room, teacher’s room, covered and open play spaces, and vegetable gardens. The river water’s cleanliness being questionable, a central gutter harvests rainwater from the roofs. Sewage is treated via anaerobic tanks and reed beds.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture