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This futuristic school in Hong Kong has a kaleidoscopic gym and a track that winds around buildings
Throughout much of the year in Hong Kong, the temperature is mild and dry.
"We can use that to have a lot of outdoor spaces," Becker says.
Dotting the campus are dozens of plants, trees, and hanging gardens. The jogging track itself isn't a standard oval but a spaghetti-like course that weaves in and out of the buildings.
The Villa features airy balconies and the primary hanging gardens. The classrooms aren't separated by fixed walls and doors, but rather loosely divided by playful barriers.
The botanical garden allows for outdoor study of environmental phenomena, such as rainwater collection and plant biology.
While typical classrooms feature one teacher lecturing to a couple dozen students, the story is much different at FIS.
Instead, dual teachers instruct in a wide-open environment, more similar to the gymnasiums found throughout Europe.
Students can learn from one another and guide their own education, rather than always relying on teachers.
The roughly 1,000 students at FIS won't be chained to their desks.
Instead, they'll have plenty of room to run around, climb on playground equipment, and burn energy in the gym or swimming pool.
Each tile will be designed by an individual student, and together they'll make up a vivid mosaic that filters light through the building.
Becker says the tiles also act as a solar screen, which keeps the sun's rays from heating up the gym.
While kids will no doubt turn the auditorium into a place to act out their own imaginations, it — like the school's other features — will also be used for local productions and events.
Becker points out that, when not in use, the auditorium can also act as an extended playground.
"The idea was to make it not so formal," he says.
The cafeteria at FIS is adorned with multi-colored chairs and ceiling fixtures that are meant to tie together the eclectic feel of the structure.
"We did a lot of studies of this in the design phase of the competition," Becker says. "And there will be further testing as we go along."
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