Magnum Lourdes School, located near Praça da Liberdade, occupies a landmark building from the 1980s, originally designed to house a bank. The revitalization of this structure posed a significant challenge: preserving its historical and architectural value while adapting it to the needs of a contemporary educational institution. The result is a space that opens itself to the city through leisure and social areas, without compromising the safety and welcoming environment essential for students and staff.
To maximize natural light, fixed glass panels were installed at the upper portions of classroom partitions. This solution allows daylight to reach hallways and internal courtyards, creating a pleasant atmosphere.
Acoustic comfort was carefully considered, with the installation of acoustic ceilings and double gypsum walls, ensuring ideal environments for learning. Each floor was assigned a distinct color, applied both to the walls and the exposed piping. This design choice reinforces the visual identity of each level and helps students and teachers navigate the spaces more easily.
The building’s original structures were left exposed, turning the architecture itself into a “third teacher”—a concept that recognizes the environment as an active agent in the educational experience, fostering curiosity and learning through spatial design.
In the auditorium, the iconic seating stringers by Sérgio Rodrigues were preserved and restored. The space also received improvements in accessibility, along with the addition of color through new carpeting and ceiling paint, enhancing its warmth and acoustic performance.
In the basement laboratories and early childhood classrooms, openings of varying dimensions were designed to promote visual and functional integration between spaces, without compromising flow. Also located in the basement is a covered sports court designated for early childhood education, strategically placed near the classrooms to ensure easy access for young children.
The early childhood education wing features an independent entrance, highlighted by its blue volume. The space includes accessible ramps and plateaus where children can play, tend to gardens, and safely enjoy the sunlight.
The library stands out due to the yellow woodwork that frames it, creating a visual and physical transition from the main circulation area. Its welcoming furniture invites students and staff to rest and read during breaks.
Finally, the rooftop was transformed into a sports and social plaza, offering views of the city and abundant natural light—a true space for relaxation and integration.
The project not only respected and enhanced the building’s history but also introduced innovation, functionality, and a renewed perspective on the role of architecture in educational spaces. The outcome is a dynamic, inspiring school deeply connected to the city and to the people who inhabit it.
