Architecture

Waldorf Educational and Social Organization
Corporación Educativa y Social Waldorf
Location: Bogota, Colombia
Design Team: Wolfgang Timmer, T Luke Young, Fabiola Uribe

Architect's Statement:

Ciudad Bolívar situated in the southwest of Bogotá has the lowest socioeconomic indices and "quality of life" conditions in the city. Fifty-one percent of the population lives on less than two dollars a day and the highest number of people displaced through Colombia's internal conflict are found there. The Corporación Educativa y Social Waldorf (Waldorf Educational and Social Corporation) provides educational opportunities to 200 children and youth, free of charge, and through its work benefits approximately 600 people represented by the students’ families, of whom 97% are classified in the lowest socioeconomic index.

Because of the efforts of the Waldorf Educational and Social Corporation, children between the ages one and three (68 students) have access to preschool education and proper nutrition while children between six and fifteen (145 students) have access to an after-school program based on Waldorf pedagogy. Using art, music, weaving and dance workshops, students are encouraged to develop knowledge through sensory experience. The pedagogical foundation of the school is based on Waldorf education, which adopts a holistic approach to childhood development and the nurturing of creativity and free‐thinking.

The team worked jointly with teachers and students at the school through a series of participatory workshops. This helped everyone involved in the design process the importance of engaging the local community both through the school programs and architecture. The classroom design not only addresses the curriculum being taught but also emphasizes the need for a safe play space.

The proposed school design connects the school more closely to the community and the natural environment through the landscaped features of an amphitheater, a playground, a community garden, terraced accessible walkways, and conservation management initiatives. Utilizing ecologically responsive materials, the Classroom of the Future creates two new levels where artistic stone, wood, weaving, music and painting classes are held. The classrooms are covered by a green roof providing areas for environmental education, open air learning, and musical performances.

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