Location: Santa Ana, San José, Costa Rica
Year: 2017
Area: 11,810 m2

Filii is a school proposal located in Santa Ana, Costa Rica. It is based on the Montessori method of education which offers a child-centered approach that aims to develop children physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively.

The site has an irregular topography and is situated next to Route 27, offering easy access to one of the country’s main highways. It is surrounded by semi-dense vegetation on the western side of the property and the terrain is classified as Protection Zone by local land use regulations.

The project approach consisted of identifying the 4 main components that the school has and subdividing each according to their respective programs. These were established as: elementary school, high school, administration and service, and amenities. Using slope analyses, each group was assigned an area designated to its corresponding buildings within the site. The main building combines classrooms on lower levels with an elevated walkway on the roof. It also acts as a bridge between the main entrance and the furthermost portion of the school where the orchards and butterfly sanctuary are located. Amenities, administration offices and elementary school are scattered next to it.

The project uses a diverse material palette combining concrete, glass and metal facades with corten steel and colored metallic louvers. Color is used to identify grade levels within the school.