Nepal School Project — First Prize

The proposal was awarded First Prize in the Nepal School Project international competition, organized by Archstorming in collaboration with Karmayog Foundation Nepal and Nepal Rising. The competition called for a replicable school prototype for rural communities in Nepal, addressing the urgent need for resilient educational infrastructure following the destruction caused by the 2015 Nepal earthquake and recurring monsoon floods.

The project proposes a simple modular building system designed to be easily constructed using locally available materials and labor. A repetitive structural frame forms the primary architectural element, allowing different infill materials—such as bamboo, timber, or brick—to be used depending on local availability and climatic conditions. This approach reduces construction complexity while enabling adaptability across diverse regions of Nepal.

The spatial organization is structured around a linear circulation spine that connects classrooms and shared spaces. This covered corridor functions as both a climatic buffer and a social space, providing shaded areas for informal learning, gathering, and play. The open character of the circulation encourages interaction while maintaining protection from heavy rainfall and intense sun.

The architecture prioritizes seismic resilience, passive ventilation, and material efficiency, responding directly to the environmental and economic constraints of rural Nepal. Elevated foundations and lightweight structural elements contribute to improved performance during floods and earthquakes, while the modular design allows the building to grow incrementally as community needs evolve.

Beyond its educational function, the school is conceived as a community infrastructure, capable of serving as a gathering space and emergency shelter during natural disasters. The project demonstrates how a clear structural logic and locally grounded construction methods can create durable, adaptable, and socially embedded architecture.