Hero view of Summit School highlighting colorful openings and terraces

Summit School

How can a school's expansion preserve its most iconic features?

The Summit School in Manila enlisted CAZA to quadruple the size of its space to accommodate expanded academic and extracurricular programs, transforming what was once only a kindergarten into a full elementary and middle school.

Interior learning space at Summit School with children and soft seating
summit school

Location
Manila, Philippines

Research Areas
Regenerative Health

Typology
School

Size
Large

Status
Complete

Project Team
Carlos Arnaiz
Yvonne Demitra Konstantinidis

We consider each project on its own terms and develop tailored responses. Learn about our vision and mission.

The design, centered around the School’s iconic central garden, became an exercise in both architectural expansion and preservation. To fit the significantly larger program, CAZA conceived a vertical, stacked campus while maintaining the lush atmosphere of the garden throughout. Each level features vertically networked green spaces that visually and experientially extend the School’s signature garden into the new vertical form.

These green spaces double as pedagogical tools: each floor’s unique landscape fosters different modes of play, interaction, and learning. Within the School, nature and landscape enhance the student experience, opening new opportunities for education and well-being.

Vertical section of Summit School showing activity spaces and circulation
summit school

Our approach is strategically driven and informed. Click here to learn about our process.

The project incorporates modular architecture, parametric design, and a distributive network, promoting regenerative health, resiliency, and eco-industrialization principles in an urban educational context.

Summit School diagram of program spaces like classrooms, library, and gym
summit school
Summit School ground floor plan with playful circular zoning
summit school