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school romanesti, craiova, romania
This 4,000 m2 private school for a Swiss charity, Ethos Open Hands, was part of our objective to introduce wood framing construction in a building culture dominated by precast concrete and masonry. This had become economically less viable in a market economy after the fall of communism, leading to a severe housing crisis. The site of the school is located in the vicinity of a social housing development by the same NGO.
Following extensive housing projects built in the vicinity by the same NGO, this 4,000 m2, two-tier K-13 building was constructed in 2010. The total cost was 2.5 million euros, including all equipment and components that had to be bought in Western Europe for market prices.
To respond to rapidly increasing enrollment in the existing school, we produced a master plan establishing the location and massing for a church, a new secondary school and a kindergarten on property across the street. Kindergarten construction was phase one, completed in 2019.
After 12 years of work, Ethos Open Hands now has a workforce well trained in wood construction techniques and the authorities are supportive. Through this project, an easier way to become construction entrepreneurs was shown.
designed by allen + maurer architects
built by ethos open hands