➤ maple bear schools olomouc
Maple Bear Schools Czechia
The most meaningful kind of learning often begins not with instruction, but with exploration. When children are free to navigate a space—touching, observing, moving—their senses are engaged, and knowledge is absorbed gradually, intuitively, and with joy. This philosophy underpins the design of Maple Bear’s first campuses in the Czech Republic. As one of the world’s largest bilingual education systems originating from Canada, Maple Bear has established two pilot schools in Olomouc and Brno—a kindergarten and a primary school—each designed by Prague-based architecture studio SOA architekti. These spaces translate the brand’s student-centered educational values into immersive physical environments.
➤ maple bear schools olomouc
➤ maple bear schools olomouc
➤ maple bear schools olomouc
The kindergarten in Olomouc is located within the BEA Centre, a multifunctional building in the heart of the city. Classrooms are arranged around the building’s perimeter, forming a circular layout anchored by a shared central hall. Rather than following a traditional corridor layout, the architects introduced a multifunctional communal core that integrates an indoor play area, a stepped amphitheater, a reading lounge, and a library corner—forming a generous, flexible learning landscape for children, teachers, and parents alike. A cylindrical meeting room serves as a visual anchor at the heart of the space, while each classroom is distinctly themed through the use of color, furnishings, and custom wall graphics. This thematic articulation not only fosters imaginative learning but also lends the overall layout a clear rhythm and visual identity.
➤ maple bear schools olomouc
➤ maple bear schools olomouc
➤ maple bear schools olomouc
➤ maple bear schools olomouc
➤ maple bear schools olomouc
In contrast, the Brno elementary school occupies the ZET.Office building in the Nová Zbrojovka development, where the industrial legacy of the site is consciously retained. A double-height entry hall with exposed steel beams defines the main spatial gesture, setting the tone for an open and robust architectural vocabulary. The lobby is seamlessly connected to a multipurpose library and display zone, which not only showcases school uniforms and learning materials but also includes a dedicated corner for reading and play. Here, daily activities and educational rhythms interweave organically, establishing a layered spatial order that is both structured and adaptable. Across both campuses, custom wall graphics developed by Graphite Studio help bridge global brand identity with local cultural context, creating environments that feel both rooted and universally resonant.
➤ maple bear schools brno
➤ maple bear schools brno
➤ maple bear schools brno
Material selection further reflects SOA architekti’s attention to scale, acoustics, and the embodied experience of children at different developmental stages. Flooring by Tarkett, acoustic wall panels by Impact Acoustic, ceiling systems by Knauf, and furniture from Nowa Szkola, GUBI, and HAY were carefully curated not just for durability or aesthetics, but for their tactile quality, ergonomic proportions, and ability to support focused, exploratory learning. The result is a pair of spaces that go beyond function: they become responsive, sensory-rich environments that encourage autonomy, engagement, and social interaction. In this way, architecture becomes more than a backdrop—it becomes a living part of the learning journey, a landscape of discovery woven into the everyday.
➤ maple bear schools brno
Architects | Ondřej Laciga, Petra Valdman
Type | Kindergarten and Elementary School
Gross Floor Area | Olomouc 550 m² / Brno 650 m²
Materials | Tarkett Flooring / Impact Acoustic Panels / Knauf Acoustic Ceiling / Furniture by Nowa Szkola, GUBI, HAY
Location | Olomouc & Brno, Czech Republic
➤ maple bear schools brno
