1. International School of Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam
18,000 square meters
(remodel of building in construction)
Grades Pre K-12
984 students
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International School of Vietnam
International School of Vietnam (ISV) will be the first Vietnamese backed International
school in the country located in the beautiful Hoang Mai district. This is one reason the
design as been shaped to weave Vietnam’s ethos into a modern building so that
foreign students can enjoy a truly memorable learning experience in a unique
environment that awakens their sense of wonder. This school project is a labor of love
for Tuan Duc Ltd., a successful real estate development company for the past twenty
years that creates sustainable projects. ISV’s 21st Century educational curriculum will
be supported by interior and exterior spaces, which have been designed flexibly to
allow for the evolution of world-class education. ISV will be lead by Head of School
Elizabeth Loadwick who has over thirty years of experience as a teacher and Principal
at various IB Schools both in Australia and the Middle East. She holds a Master’s
degree in Education specializing in Special Needs education and works with the IB as
an authorization visitor.
ISV understands that each child is different and everyone learns better in different
ways. Groups of students are organized into learning communities for a home-like
environment that allows them to feel comfortable and learn in various learning
modalities. This is especially important in international schools where many students
need extra nurturing as they adjust to their new environment. The school will have
plenty of natural daylight which studies have shown helps students learn better.
Teachers will have collaboration workrooms that are enclosed in glass next to each
learning community’s Commons so they will act as role models for the students and
work together creatively to offer cross-disciplinary curricular opportunities to the
students. The Commons is a key component of the design, which will facilitate project-
based and inquiry based learning projects.
The ground level houses the Pre-K through Grade 3 students with their own indoor
play area entry, their own small café, learning terraces, and main lobby with bleacher
stairs for performances and exhibition of student work. The first level has a university-
like library with small group study rooms, a reading terrace and zones for younger and
older students to engage in collaborative independent learning. Grades 4-8 are on this
floor with a Cafe that also serves as a Multi Purpose room on the west and another
Gym Café next to the Sports Hall.
Fine Arts and Science is on the second level with a science roof garden and themed
Commons with plenty of room for project-based learning. The third level is for the High
School with spectacular views and another roof garden for science projects.
The school will accommodate up to 984 students ranging from Pre-Kindergarten
through grade 12 with a student to teacher ration of 1:14. A Sports Hall, Natatorium,
and three areas for fine arts performances are amenities that can be enjoyed after
hours as well as during school hours. The first phase of the school will open in August
2012 for Pre-K through Grade 5 with all the amenities. In 2013, Grades 6 through 8
will be added and each year more grades will be added until the first High School class
graduates by 2017.
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3 roofed pavilionBiology Learning Pond
Giant Western
Chess
Giant Chinese
Chess
Fire truck access
Tricycle track
Swings
Monkey bars
Merry go
round
Bamboo
Interactive
musical chimes
Covered
Kinder
Play area
Play structure
Artificial wood
deck
slide
Site Plan After
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Main Entry
Library and
Media Resource
Centre
Walls for artists
to collaborate
with ISV
students to
personalize their
school
Senior Wall for
each every
years’
graduating class
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Main Lobby and Multi-Purpose Gathering bleacher stairs Reception and
Welcoming Entry
with soft seating
and coffee
station for
parents and
visitors
Bleacher stairs
for gatherings
with views to
gardens
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Science Wing
All science labs are designed
for flexibility with perimeter
sink stations and lightweight
moveable furniture to allow
teachers to quickly re-arrange
the room for hands-on
experiments or cross-
disciplinary learning in which
two classes may come
together to work on a project.
Science Commons for project
based learning and building monitor
systems so students can
understand the school’s
mechanical systems.
Science Commons with a Science
& Math career station that has
computers with science specific
software, a flat screen TVs loaded
with videos of interviews with
scientists and university program
information.
