Etapa Vila Mascote School by Biselli Katchborian Arquitetos: A Contemporary Educational Retrofit in São Paulo

In the heart of São Paulo, Brazil, the Etapa Vila Mascote School has been transformed through a comprehensive retrofit and expansion by renowned architecture firm Biselli Katchborian Arquitetos, led by architects Artur Katchborian and Mario Biselli. Originally designed in 1984 by Brazilian architect Paulo Bastos, the building has been reimagined to meet the evolving demands of modern education while respecting its architectural legacy.

Educational Architecture Reimagined

The architectural renovation of the 5318 m² campus demonstrates a careful balance between preserving structural integrity and implementing contemporary upgrades. The intervention addresses both spatial and programmatic challenges, taking full advantage of a 15-meter level difference between Palestina Street and Mascote Avenue to design dual-access points that enhance circulation and institutional clarity.

The project comprises two primary volumes:

• A larger academic block housing classrooms, science labs, and learning spaces for students from kindergarten to high school
• A smaller, restructured administrative block that gained two additional floors to meet the program’s functional needs

Maximizing Light, Space, and Functionality

A key move in the design was the expansion of the central void in the administrative block, configured around a square floor plan. This atrium floods the interiors with natural light, enhancing visual connectivity across floors and reinforcing the architectural concept of openness and transparency in education. According to architect Artur Katchborian, “We pushed the site usage to its legal limits, integrating multiple educational stages under one unified, light-filled structure.”

Integrated Sports and Recreational Areas

Alongside an existing indoor sports court, the architects introduced two new rooftop courts, made accessible through the revitalized building circulation. These new open-air recreational areas provide students with additional space for physical education and informal activities while leveraging unused roof space — a sustainable design strategy in dense urban environments.

Upgrading Infrastructure for Accessibility and Safety

Compliant with updated safety and accessibility regulations, the project includes:

• Installation of elevators
• Renovated emergency stairwells
• Accessible circulation paths across levels

These interventions ensure that the school serves a wider demographic and meets contemporary standards for educational environments.

Spatial Organization Anchored by an Interior Patio

One of the original building’s key spatial assets — an indoor central patio — was preserved and repurposed as a vertical and programmatic organizer. The ground level, accessible via Mascote Avenue, accommodates Early Childhood Education, while Elementary and High School classrooms are positioned above, with direct access from Palestina Street. This internal layout not only streamlines movement but also fosters age-appropriate zones within the campus.

Cohesive Identity Through Color and Visual Design

The chromatic strategy plays a crucial role in the school’s visual coherence. A consistent color palette stretches from the exterior façades into the interiors and wayfinding systems, creating a unified visual identity for the institution. This comprehensive design language helps reinforce the educational brand and enhances user orientation across the expanded complex.

A Landmark in Contemporary Brazilian Educational Architecture

The Etapa Vila Mascote School retrofit by Biselli Katchborian Arquitetos is more than just a building upgrade; it's a paradigm for contemporary educational architecture in Brazil. Through thoughtful adaptive reuse, innovative spatial planning, and strategic interventions in light, accessibility, and circulation, the project offers a model for future school renovations across Latin America.

All Photographs are works of Nelson Kon