Nairobi Waldorf School / Urko Sanchez Architects

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A Village for Kids Hidden in the Woods -The project was commissioned by a Waldorf school inNairobi, an institution deeply connected tonatureand grounded in Anthroposophy. The buildings needed to be constructedquickly,cost-effectively(achieving a cost of 250$/m²), and with atemporary lifespan, as the plot lease is set to expire in 10 years.The design aimed to foster a deep connection between students and nature. To enhance this bond, we introduced"living walls."Considering the project'sephemeralnature, the walls were constructed by filling the space between two polycarbonate sheets with leftover soil from excavations and a second layer of forest leaves. This innovative technique met the client's need forspeed and cost-efficiencywhile offering a unique aesthetic. The polycarbonate's transparency reveals the dynamic life within the walls—ants, bugs, plants, roots—and reflects natural light and colors into the classrooms. These evolving living walls transform the classrooms into vibrant,active environments, encouraging students to observebiodiversityup close.The concept was to create a small village for children nestled within the woods, preserving the old house on-site to accommodate additional classrooms and services. The land was a forest rich with native tree species, and the goal was to integrate the school harmoniously into the natural environment. To achieve this, classrooms were designed as a dispersed town, strategically placed inclearings within the forest.The classrooms have soft and organic shapes, with a spiral configuration, inspired by themaasai manyatasand other Kenyan vernacular architectures.The construction system was designed to be adaptable andcollaborative, involving children, parents, and teachers. Wherever possible, materials from dismantled classrooms wererecycled: wooden floors and walls became parapets, roof tiles were repurposed as path boundaries, and more. This approach combined creativity, sustainability, andcommunityinvolvement to create a truly unique learning space.