Borneo International School
In the recent PAM Awards, this project by PDC Design Group was awarded a Commendation in the Education category.
“ A refined Tropical Modernist campus shaped by porous learning streets, deep overhangs, and climate- responsive shading that seamlessly integrates education, social interaction, and passive environment design. “
The project was conceived as a contemporary tropical learning environment that rethinks the conventional school corridor into a Living Street, a series of connected spaces for movement, interaction, informal learning and visual connection.Schools are more than just places for education; they are environments that help shape and develop young minds. The design of a school plays an important role in supporting the learning experience. However, factors such as budget constraints, construction timelines, standardized building systems, and planning requirements have led many schools to follow conventional design approaches.
This project aims to challenge these conventions and explore how better learning environments can be created while working within the same practical constraints. At the core of Borneo International School’s design is the concept of the “Living Street” — a space that supports both structured learning and informal social interaction. It strengthens the connection between indoor and outdoor environments, creating opportunities for collaboration, physical activity, observation, and reflection.
This approach helps make the school more than just a place for education; it supports personal growth, creativity, and social development. Despite various constraints, key Living Street elements were retained, avoiding the typical “runway-style” corridors often found in schools that limit interaction. We hope the school management will continue to develop and expand these ideas, creating a more vibrant, engaging, and student-centered learning environment for future generations.
The school adopts a simple and cost-effective design that responds to the local climate. Oriented primarily along the north-south axis, the building maximizes natural cross-ventilation by capturing prevailing winds from the northwest, southwest, and southeast. This strategy improves energy efficiency while providing a comfortable environment for students and teachers.
Additional features such as verandas, courtyards, large roof overhangs, screens, and landscaping further enhance the building’s performance, helping to reduce heat gain and create comfortable outdoor and indoor spaces suited to the local climate.
Borneo International School is strategically located in Saradise, Kuching, within a growing residential community. Beyond its educational function, the school is designed to serve as a landmark and community hub for the neighbourhood. Its design responds to the surrounding residential and commercial developments, helping to create a more connected and walkable environment.
By encouraging students to walk or cycle to school, the development promotes healthy lifestyles, independence, and a stronger sense of community. The school is envisioned as an integral part of the neighbourhood, supporting social interaction and contributing positively to the character and identity of Saradise.
In conclusion, the Borneo International School sets a compelling example of how school design can break free from conventions and serve as a catalyst for positive change. The project, aptly titled "Breaking the Boundaries," boldly challenges the conventions that have long constrained school design. The Borneo International School's approach demonstrates that even with all the typical constraints faced by school design, creativity can still thrive.
Text by the architect
PROJECT GALLERY
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Architect : PDC Design Group
Client : Borneo Convenant Sdn. Bhd.
Area : 15 000 m²
Project Location : Kuching | Sarawak
Year : 2022 -
C&S Engineer : KTA (Sarawak) Sdn. Bhd.
M&E Engineer : APK Engineering Consult Sdn. Bhd.
Quantity Surveyor : PUBM Quantity Surveyors Sdn. Bhd.
Design Team : Ar. Wong Siew Ling | Ar. Lau Chun Leong | Jong Pik Sien | Tay Tze Yong
Photography : Lance Vuns -
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