Striking Simplicity: Exposed Concrete Architecture Defines Czech School Design
Set amidst the gentle greenery of Ondřejov, a small village near Prague, the Frič Brothers Elementary School offers a compelling example of exposed concrete architecture applied with educational purpose. Designed by Czech studio Atelier 6 in collaboration with graphic artist Pavla Gregorová Šípová, the school complex reflects a modern architectural ethos while maintaining sensitivity to its rural context. This project embraces raw material honesty by exposing its internal structural and mechanical systems—transforming the building itself into a pedagogical tool for its 540 students.
Instead of hiding construction details, Atelier 6 revealed ventilation pipes, water systems, and conduits within the school’s concrete interiors, helping students understand the inner life of the building. At the same time, these raw elements are softened by vibrant, graphic flooring designed by Šípová, where colors, patterns, and shapes help organize space by age group and function. Beyond aesthetics, the design promotes environmental awareness and transparency in construction, offering an immersive spatial learning experience.
This article explores the project’s use of exposed concrete architecture, analyzes its spatial and material strategies, and reflects on the deeper architectural thinking it represents. From design logic to its contribution to architectural discourse, this school sets an engaging precedent for educational spaces.
Architectural Concept and Material Composition
Site and Contextual Integration
- Location: Ondřejov village, near Prague
- Siting: A gently sloped meadow opposite a sports field
- Volumetric strategy: Two brick classroom wings + one rendered gym + one low-lying connective pavilion
The massing strategy shows sensitivity to the village scale. The building heights are varied, with the lowest structure acting as a visual buffer between the bold forms and surrounding residential gardens. Skylights pierce the entrance pavilion’s roof, allowing light to animate circulation spaces naturally.
Educational Spatial Planning
| Spatial Zone | Material Use | Design Intention |
|---|---|---|
| Classrooms | Brick + Exposed Concrete | Edge location for maximum landscape views |
| Corridors | Concrete + Skylights | Centralized for movement + illuminated naturally |
| Social areas (Canteen, Foyer) | Colorful vinyl floors | Encourage informal interaction and navigation |
| Gymnasium | Rendered Grey Finish + Wood | Multi-sport use + acoustics + warm ambiance |
The classroom wings are positioned along the periphery to maximize daylight and landscape exposure, while interior corridors rely on skylights for ambient light. The school promotes age-appropriate zoning through colored paths: brighter tones for younger students and muted palettes for older ones and faculty.
Material and Detail Expression
- Exposed Concrete: Dominates walls and ceilings
- Mechanical Visibility: Exposed pipes, ducts, cables in ceilings
- Colorful Flooring: Stylized graphics and thematic colors for orientation
- Furniture: Neutral palette (white, wood tones) as a backdrop for colorful floors
Instead of suspended ceilings or hidden systems, the design exposes every functional layer of the building’s infrastructure. This choice turns the school into a living diagram—pipes and wires are presented as the building’s “organs,” visible and comprehensible.
Integration of Art and Learning
- Artist Collaboration: Pavla Gregorová Šípová
- Artistic Medium: Floor graphics and colored paths
- Symbolism: Stars, comic speech bubbles in communal spaces
- Purpose: Enhances learning environment and spatial identity
Architectural Analysis
The design logic is based on transparency—both visual and conceptual. Structurally, the buildings are simple rectilinear volumes with clear programmatic divisions. The gym is separated but accessible; the classrooms are linear, and the shared spaces are open yet defined. This clarity makes navigation intuitive, particularly for children.
Materially, exposed concrete serves not only as an aesthetic but also as a didactic tool. This brutalist touch is balanced by whimsical flooring that encourages spatial play and visual storytelling. The dialogue between raw and playful reflects a dual pedagogical aim: rigor and imagination.
In context, the building respects the village’s domestic scale while asserting a contemporary civic identity. The granite forecourt with newly planted trees acts as a soft threshold between public and institutional space.
Critically, one could question whether the exposed mechanical systems might overwhelm younger students or cause long-term maintenance concerns. But within an educational framework, their presence enhances transparency and encourages spatial literacy from an early age.
Project Importance
This school project offers several key lessons for architects and educators alike:
- Design as Curriculum: The building teaches through its form and systems.
- Transparency in Architecture: Honesty in material and construction fosters trust and understanding.
- Contextual Sensitivity: Even raw materials can be gentle if used in dialogue with context.
- Color as Spatial Language: Strategic use of color can guide, calm, or energize users depending on age and function.
- Democratizing Architecture: Exposed systems demystify architecture, inviting students to see and question their surroundings.
In a time when architecture often prioritizes sleekness and concealment, this project shifts the focus to openness, both visual and educational. It serves as a model for designing schools that are not only functional but intellectually engaging.
✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight
The Frič Brothers Elementary School showcases a balanced contrast between exposed concrete architecture and playful floor graphics. The raw surfaces and visible infrastructure are handled confidently, providing a clear reading of the building’s systems while encouraging spatial curiosity. The colored paths and whimsical floor illustrations soften the austere structure, guiding movement and defining zones with age-sensitive palettes.
One critical point concerns the longevity of exposed mechanical systems in a high-use educational environment—especially considering acoustic and maintenance challenges. While the pedagogical intent is valid, its success will rely on thoughtful upkeep and student interaction.
Still, the design stands out for how it bridges architecture, education, and art. Its narrative encourages students not just to inhabit the space but to understand it—fostering an early architectural awareness.
Conclusion: Learning Through Transparency
The Frič Brothers Elementary School is a powerful example of how architecture can be part of the educational process. By revealing its inner workings, the building invites students to observe, learn, and engage with their environment on a deeper level. This approach aligns beautifully with contemporary educational values that prioritize critical thinking, systems awareness, and sustainability.
At the same time, the school doesn’t sacrifice aesthetics. Its colorful floors, artist-designed graphics, and careful use of materials demonstrate that functionality and creativity can go hand-in-hand. The project offers a new way to think about school design—not as neutral containers for learning, but as active participants in a student’s development.
As architects, planners, and educators reconsider the role of educational spaces in shaping young minds, this project serves as a timely and innovative case study in spatial pedagogy, architectural honesty, and the transformative power of design.
Explore the Latest Architecture Exhibitions & Conferences
ArchUp offers daily updates on top global architectural exhibitions, design conferences, and professional art and design forums.
Follow key architecture competitions, check official results, and stay informed through the latest architectural news worldwide.
ArchUp is your encyclopedic hub for discovering events and design-driven opportunities across the globe.
