A simple but elegant design, thoughtful choices in local materials, and careful attention to interaction with the climate are reason enough to laud this new school in rural Brazil. But what stands out most about ?Children?s Village,? located in the remote community of Formoso do Araguaia, is just how much care the young architects from Aleph Zero took to address the needs of the disadvantaged students that the school would be serving. In fact, the firm?s approach is so notable, it earned them the 2018 International Emerging Architect Award from RIBA (the Royal Institute of British Architects).

?The roof tilts from West to East, allowing space for first floor accommodation above the dormitories to the West and in the center, and is cleverly drained using pairs of colored rain water pipes. To the West a series of sculptural timber stairs rise to the upper level with its generous walkways and balconies, giving views across the site and over the courtyards. This open air space is for recreational use and inhabited [by] furniture and a stage. Slatted timber screens define three enclosed spaces. One is a study room with a large work table, whilst the others are used for relaxing and watching television.? ...