The name “Diamond of Peace” reflects the belief that children are precious and will grow to become ambassadors of peace. The building expresses this vision through architecture that supports learning, wellbeing, connection, and community.
The green and brown façade reflects Enko’s values of care, path-making, commitment, and team spirit. At the entrance, a diamond-shaped atrium rotates 90 degrees on each floor and features metallic doves in flight, symbolizing peace and collaboration. A prominent peace sign in the courtyard reinforces the building’s identity.
1) Helping Students and Staff Thrive
The five-story building responds to the needs of nursery, kindergarten, primary, and secondary students. A grand staircase and elevator beside the entrance provide direct access to upper floors for older students, minimizing interaction with younger children. Covered corridors connect classrooms while providing spaces for gathering and social connection.
The ground floor includes a shared playground, offices, and staff areas, while a rooftop playground serves secondary students. Together, these spaces support learning, play, wellbeing, independence, and community.
2) Creating a Safe and Supportive Place
Safety, hygiene, accessibility, and care are integrated throughout the design. Facilities accommodate children, adults, and persons with disabilities, with a dedicated baby-care and lactation room supporting staff and families.
Three clearly defined staircases provide safe emergency egress, while the multi-purpose hall has direct street access for rapid evacuation. These measures create a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment for the school community.
3) Strengthening Place for the Future
The building can adapt as the school evolves. The first-floor covered playground can be converted into classrooms, while non-structural partitions allow spaces to be renovated and repurposed.
Environmental strategies respond to the local climate and natural systems. The atrium supports natural ventilation, while photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, rainwater harvesting, and a communal rooftop garden reduce resource use and improve environmental performance.
Together, these strategies create a more adaptable, resource-efficient, and resilient school that can continue serving its community over time.
Value Added — Building a Foundation for the Future
The Diamond of Peace demonstrates how architecture can drive positive outcomes for people and place. Its clear spatial organization supports efficient movement and age-appropriate learning; shared and flexible spaces encourage interaction, collaboration, and community; safe and accessible circulation supports wellbeing and inclusion; while natural ventilation, renewable energy, rainwater harvesting, and a rooftop garden improve environmental performance and resilience.
At the same time, the building’s distinctive identity and symbols of peace give the school a strong sense of place and purpose. Its adaptable spaces allow the school to respond to changing educational needs over time.
Together, these design decisions create more than a functional school: they establish a lasting foundation for learning, community, resilience, and future growth, helping the school continue to serve and inspire future generations.
Project Size
43,000 square feet
Scope of Service
Architectural Design, Interior Design
Client
Enko Education from Johannesburg
Status
Concept Design