Dasoupolis Archbishop Makarios III Lyceum

The Arch. Makarios III Lyceum in the city of Nicosia – Cyprus, seeks to be an architectural and urban project with great social impact emphasizing through its architectural design, the anthropocentric approach as well as the social and cultural importance of education. The building takes into account that our behavior and thinking is shaped by the physical environment we are in. This project aims to start the transformation of its environment and also becomes a city landmark. The form and architecture of the building is shaped through the creation of a shading system that surrounds and protects the building. This shading system facades are differentiated by orientation. It behaves like a ‘second skin’ that leaves openings for natural light and cross ventilation while creating sheltered outdoor enjoyable gathering spaces for socializing.

As a result the design of this school is using a bioclimatic and environmentally sustainable architecture, ensuring the comfort of users, and using the minimum amount of resources. Color is an important part within the design of the school, The color scheme on the walls behind the shading system shifts around the building, from warm colors to cool and back again. The formation of an internal courtyard is a major component of the project, the meeting place of the students but also the transition. The learning spaces that are the building’s backbone are organized around this unifying internal courtyard. Its location offers direct connections with canteen, general classrooms and Laboratories. A very important conceptual approach of the school design is the creation of a long wall on the building facade near the main entrance of the school that is designed to host art installations from the students, such as graffiti. The wall is to become an icon strengthening the relationship between the students and the school.