daniel valle architects remodels DSSI's classrooms in seoul

completed by daniel valle architects, the DSSI elementary school in seoul has had its interiors renovated for the first and second grade classrooms. throughout the project, three main strategies have been highlighted to address the school’s requirements: maximizing space, equalizing it and creating shared activities.

a system of rotational walls can reconfigure the size and nature of the common classroom
courtesy of daniel valle architects

sharing spaces and common areas for study can be problematic when other activities or passersby overlap, therefore daniel valle architects proposes a system that allows both to occur in harmony. in other words, the studio creates a possibility for both public and more private hubs within one single setting.

sharing activities
all images © lee namsun

the most significant feature of the proposal is a system of rotational walls that can reconfigure the space as either a smaller compact classroom or a bigger, playful one for recreational activities. in addition, the added partitions can be used for storage, which frees up the main space from any obstacles. for a good 1.7 meters, the walls are opaque but then glass takes over on the upper part to provide visibility and natural lighting. 

entrance view

rotational walls can either be completely separate from the sharing space or part of it

multi-functional and colorful effects are adopted into the moveable partitions

the walls start off with an opaque façade at the bottom, then glass takes over for visibility and natural lighting 

effective seating and storage has been integrated to avoid any obstacles on the way 

the moveable walls offer a playful layer to the renovated space

concept sketch

the classrooms have been re-configured for more equal sizes 

concept diagram

plan configuration (1)

plan configuration (2)

project info:

title: DSSI elementary school interior renovation project for the 1st and 2nd grades classrooms

location: seoul, south korea

architects: daniel valle architects

size: 150 sq.m
year: 2016

team: daniel valle, jiwon hur, sunmin lee, irene r vara, iago blanco


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edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom