Concrete and beech shape flexible learning spaces within school and social hub in Slovenia.

GEOPLAN reimagines the village school as a shared social center.

The Hotič Educational Complex by GEOPLAN unites a primary school, a kindergarten, a multipurpose hall, and local community facilities into a new social center for the village of Hotič, Slovenia. The project is based on the understanding of the school as the central social space of the community, not merely as an educational institution, but as a place for gathering, strengthening local identity, and fostering daily community life for all generations. Situated at the heart of the village’s layout, the building’s scale and articulation of volumes reflect the logic of scattered rural development. Rather than a single dominant volume, the building is divided into a series of interconnected spatial units that create transitions between public and semi-public spaces.

The building occupies a central position within Hotič.
all images courtesy of GEOPLAN

Learning unfolds across adaptable indoor and outdoor spaces.

The design team at GEOPLAN attends to the design of open outdoor areas, which, together with the interior spaces, form an extended learning landscape. One of the primary objectives of the project was to ensure the adaptability of the learning space. The design is based on contemporary pedagogical approaches, in which the learning process no longer takes place solely through traditional lecture-style instruction, but rather through various forms of collaboration, exploration, and independent work. Classrooms are therefore designed as adaptable, spatial landscapes that allow for quick reconfiguration based on the needs of each specific learning situation. Some classrooms also feature direct access to the outdoors.

Modular furniture elements, various types of seating, quiet corners, and open, multipurpose areas enable the creation of diverse learning environments within the same space. The building is designed as an interweaving of various programs that complement one another throughout the day and during various events. In addition to the facilities of the branch elementary school and the nursery school with two departments, it also includes spaces for the local community, a village library, and a multipurpose hall for sports and cultural activities. The building’s design facilitates connection between different generations of daily users, including preschool and schoolchildren, educators, teachers, parents, and local residents, through shared spaces, open communication, and publicly accessible outdoor areas.

*Interconnected volumes reflect the village’s scattered urban fabric*.

Exposed concrete and beech define the building’s materiality.

The building’s structural design is a result of the geomechanically challenging terrain, which necessitated the use of piles and led to the building being constructed entirely as a reinforced concrete structure. The reinforced concrete structure, which is exposed in certain areas, is balanced by warm wooden accents made from local beech and a playful use of color in the classrooms and playrooms. The spaces feature linoleum flooring in various colors, and the interior’s identity extends to the building’s facade.

The building meets the Nearly Zero-Energy standard and incorporates a high proportion of natural and mineral insulation materials. The project establishes a new spatial identity for Hotič, while remaining closely connected to the character of the place and the daily life of the local community. The building establishes its spatial identity through flexible learning environments, open communal spaces, and the close interweaving of educational and community activities, which encourage daily interactions and strengthen a sense of belonging to the community.

*Outdoor areas extend the learning environment beyond the classrooms*.

*Semi-public spaces transition through the clustered layout*.

*Some classrooms open directly onto outdoor learning areas*.

The project is based on the understanding of the school as the central social space of the community, not merely as an educational institution, but as a place for gathering, strengthening local identity, and fostering daily community life for all generations.

*Flexible classrooms support changing teaching methods*.

*Educational and community programs overlap throughout the day*.

*Local beech introduces warmth throughout the interior*.

*Classrooms feature informal nooks and resting spaces*.

*Learning spaces are designed for collaboration and independent work*.

*Modular furniture allows quick spatial reconfiguration*.

*The project establishes a new civic identity rooted in everyday community life*.

Project info:

Name: Hotič Educational Complex
Architect: GEOPLAN
Lead designers: Helena Kovač, Peter Kovač
Location: Zgornji Hotič, Slovenia
Gross built area: 1.049 sqm
Gross floor area: 1.881 sqm
Site area: 4.484 sqm

ΠΗΓΗ: DESIGNBOOM
Editing: Christina Vergopoulou | designboom
Translation supervision: Interiors pick Team