By Nick Yates, ISB Communications
Everyone at the International School of Beijing (ISB) knows how impressive the school’s new facilities are, and now judges of two more prestigious international design competitions have added their seal of approval.
It was announced last week that ISB’s Facilities Master Plan (FMP) projects, opened for the start of the 2020-2021 academic year, have won prizes for architecture and interiors in the 2021 Muse Design Awards. A little earlier in the summer, they were honored in the DNA Paris Design Awards.
This follows the FMP projects winning two silver medals in the A’ Design Award and Competition, as we reported in May.
ISB’s Elementary School Arts Center and Theater, Middle School (MS)/High School (HS) Performing Arts Center, Early Years Learning Community, and MS/HS Design Center are the work of Inclusive Architectural Practice, a Beijing-based firm.
Setting out on the FMP, ISB applied the principle that one must use world-class architects to create world-class buildings. Clearly, the design professionals, academics, and industry experts deciding all these awards agree that ISB’s approach has been successful!
According to the organizers of the Muse Design Awards, they were looking for “the best in solo and team contributions to the architectural profession. Creators who demonstrate that a building is more than its function – and that its presence affects the environment and influences all who enter it – for the better.” ISB has always believed that the best school buildings create an environment that promotes student achievement.
The four new facilities have further improved ISB’s campus. They were years in the planning, including extensive community input and consultation, to ensure the school continues to live its Mission and Vision and provide challenging and joyful learning for all.
Gerrick Monroe, who led the planning for these new facilities as ISB’s chief financial/operating officer, said, “Opportunities for ISB students to design, perform, and create in support of their educational program and personal interests have been greatly enhanced with these facilities. The inclusive planning processes and design work of Xiaoyi [Ma, founding partner of Inclusive Architectural Practice] and her team were a critical component to ensuring the success of these projects. It is exciting that the final project designs have been recognized internationally for our innovative approach to ISB’s new educational spaces.”