Circular Concrete School Rises on Former Funeral Home Site in Puerto Rico
A new circular concrete school has opened in Ciales, Puerto Rico. The facility serves 48 children from surrounding municipalities. It occupies a former funeral home site along Route PR-149, facing dramatic karst cliffs in the Manatí River valley.
Symbolic Ring Design
The architectural design features twelve equal sections of exposed concrete. These segments surround a central play courtyard. Moreover, the ring shape symbolizes the cycle of life. This creates a powerful contrast to the site’s previous use.
Six sections function as classrooms with private bathrooms. Additionally, each classroom includes an individual outdoor play area. The remaining spaces house the entrance, multipurpose rooms, and administrative offices.
Climate-Responsive Features
The structure responds directly to tropical conditions. External circulation corridors wrap around the building perimeter. Meanwhile, wide overhangs protect from intense sun and rainfall. Natural ventilation reduces mechanical cooling needs significantly.
The panoptic layout ensures constant child supervision. Furthermore, 360-degree views connect students with the surrounding landscape. The dramatic topography influenced both engineering and spatial organization throughout the project.
Adaptive Reuse Strategy
The existing funeral home now functions as administrative offices. Consequently, the new structure rises on the former parking area. This approach demonstrates thoughtful urban planning principles.
The older building maintains a subdued presence. However, the circular school commands visual attention. Both elements work together functionally as an educational campus.
Technical Details
The 8,500-square-foot facility uses durable exposed concrete construction. This material withstands hurricanes and humidity effectively. Additionally, it requires minimal long-term maintenance.
Does this circular concrete school offer a model for transforming sensitive sites into community resources?
A Quick Architectural Snapshot
The 8,500-square-foot circular facility in Ciales, Puerto Rico features twelve equal exposed concrete sections surrounding a central courtyard. Six classrooms with private bathrooms serve 48 children. Wide overhangs enable natural ventilation and tropical climate protection.
