TAS - THE AMERICAN SCHOOL

HO CHI MINH CITY

The American School, an international K-12 institution, is situated on a spacious and airy campus in Ho Chi Minh City. This prime location provides an advantage in establishing a peaceful educational complex, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The campus consists of various buildings that cater to different educational levels, from preschool to high school, each designed to accommodate the psychological and developmental needs of students at every stage. The school's renovation design was developed based on discussions between PA Design and the educational organization to find the optimal solution for learning and activity spaces, which are also the most fundamental and important elements of the entire project. The main idea introduced into the project is the concept of "void spaces." The existing structure featured long, low corridors with limited natural light for movement and daily activities. PA Design proposed creating voids within the solid mass of the space to provide breathing areas, bring in light and air, and reduce the feeling of confinement. Natural light is introduced into shared student areas through long windows positioned on the walls to capture soft lighting. At the same time, these openings create continuous connections with play areas, allowing students to learn and engage in activities in a comfortable and fresh environment. The corridors were renovated with sections of the ceiling opened up to take advantage of the height up to the base of the upper floor. This, combined with light-colored flooring and wall materials, aims to create a more comfortable atmosphere while also forming interesting and creative spaces along the hallways. The main lobby maximizes the use of vertical space by creating a large void, providing students and teachers with a shared area spacious enough for school events to take place without feeling cramped.