With a unique architectural space covered with many trees, creating a green and sustainable learning environment, Victoria South Saigon Bilingual International School has won the International Architecture Awards (IAA) - a prestigious and long-standing award in architecture in the world founded by the Chicago Museum of Architecture and Design (USA).
Inspiring students and teachers
This year's IAA Awards had 850 entries from around the world participating in the evaluation.
Passing many rounds of evaluation and many projects around the world, Victoria Bilingual International School South Saigon is one of 17 projects in the world honored in the school category with the “Green Curtain School” award. Victoria School - South Saigon The school was designed by Architect Vo Trong Nghia with the main goal of creating a green and sustainable learning environment.
MSc. Christopher Bradley - General Principal of Victoria School - South Saigon said: “We are extremely proud that the school's architectural design has won this award. This is a prestigious award to affirm the quality learning space of Victoria School - South Saigon, not only ensuring aesthetics, many green spaces, classrooms, and playgrounds with optimized natural light, contributing to inspiring, helping students and teachers to study and work effectively”.
Happy green school with UNESCO's support
In the context of rapid urbanization, high urban density, and shrinking green space, creating a green school right in Ho Chi Minh City is essential. Victoria School - South Saigon is a school following the UNESCO Happy School model, always focusing on building green spaces for students, bringing them a happy learning experience.
With a total area of 15,000m2, the school has a green system covering from the outside to the inside including: school grounds, playgrounds, bird of paradise gardens, rooftop gardens, outdoor cafes and inside classrooms and offices. The green trees covering the buildings are like a "green curtain" that helps filter the air, creating a learning and working environment that is airy and close to nature. With the green space covering, the school wants to educate students about lifestyle and "green awareness" in the process of living with nature.
Dang Nguyen Minh Nghia - a student of class 10.1 shared: “I was overwhelmed the first time I came to school by the green trees covering everywhere, looking very eye-catching. Whether in the classroom, library or along the hallways, the playgrounds, I always feel cool. That helps me feel comfortable and relaxed during the stressful learning process”.
The design of Victoria School-South Saigon focuses on integrating sports and agricultural spaces with green architecture. Sports facilities such as golf and table tennis are interspersed so as not to take up a large area. The swimming pool is also reasonably designed to serve the needs of students.
According to IAA: “Trees are planted around the school to reduce temperatures and save energy, and a rainwater harvesting system is used for irrigation and water reuse. In addition, the school focuses on holistic education, aiming to educate students to love nature and foster a deeper connection with the urban environment, especially in the context of Vietnam facing issues such as depression and anxiety.”
Victoria School is a pioneering example of green and sustainable education in an urban environment. By using space effectively and optimizing natural resources, the School hopes to foster a love of nature, raise awareness of the importance of environmental protection for students, and contribute to building a sustainable future for the country.
The International Architecture Awards (IAA) organized by the Chicago Museum of Architecture and Design (USA) in collaboration with the European Center for Architecture, Art and Urbanism - is one of the oldest and most prestigious international architecture awards. The IAA Awards are held annually to honor individuals and organizations with creative and unique designs.
Victoria School is a bilingual international school system following the UNESCO Happy school model. Victoria School provides a seamless educational journey, with an academic program that crystallizes excellent values from international and domestic programs, along with a state-of-the-art educational technology system and facilities for students to confidently become the best version of themselves.
