At a Venice Architecture Biennale presentation of planned structures in Qatar, French architect Philippe Starck unveiled his plan for the Qatar Preparatory School.

The Qatar Preparatory School, which Qatar Museums commissioned, will be the nation’s first vocational institution to concentrate on training for the creative sectors.

Qatar Preparatory School will be the nation’s first and only vocational school for the creative industries

“This educational institution is strategically planned to revive creative production in Qatar and develop a skilled and motivated workforce to drive the new creative economy,” the statement reads.

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The school will occupy the former Qatar Boys Preparatory School, which was constructed in 1962, and is scheduled to be built near the B Ring Road southwest of central Doha.

The existing 2,300 square metre, U-shaped school building will be preserved and modified according to Starck’s concept design. The centre courtyard will be covered by a huge canopy supported by timber masts, leaving the current concrete walls exposed.

Strack’s proposal calls for the addition of a number of “3D-printed clay natural air conditioning units” to the current structures. These will be made of hollow clay screens attached to 3D-printed chimneys that will circulate cold air.

The building features advanced architectural prefabrication methods while using low-tech climatization technologies including 3D-printed clay walls, ventilation chimneys, and delicately patterned colonnades.

The architectural renderings depict a second arch colonnade with arched openings built over the courtyard’s open end. Additionally, it features a collection of 3D-printed columns in a variety of shapes.

A “village of workshops” will be built around the main structure to add more areas for practical activities.

A 32,000 square metre plot that will be converted into parkland will house the entire school.