The many forms of plastic shape our understanding of nature and the environment and the extent to which we are responsible for creating a better future for our planet. With plastic’s prevalence in everyday activity it can be difficult to visualize a world without it. Tulum Plastic School seeks to create a visual representation of the tension between plastics and the natural environment.

The plastic screen flowing through the project demands that occupants think critically of their environment and the materials from which it is constructed. The screen simultaneously divides and connects different areas in the project; while spaces may become physically separated as a result of the screen, they remain visibly connected. As such, the plastic throughout the project imposes an inescapable lens on its occupants. In every space, views are clouded by plastic. The plastic effectively overwhelms the project, alluding to the impact that plastic waste is having on the environment on a global scale.

This is particularly evident in the project through the interaction between the largest existing tree and the plastic screen. From the street, the tree’s canopy is hidden by the screen, and from the interior courtyard, the trunk is hidden. In order to experience the tree in totality, the project demands immediacy, impressing the importance of the tree upon the occupant through the interaction between the two. The tree replaces the screen as shelter as the occupant moves into the project through the front gates, and again in the second level classroom as the sun moves westward across the courtyard.

The main educational spaces are raised to the level of the tree canopy in order to stress the importance of education in efforts to build a better future. Following the pedagogical approach of LADLE (art, wellness and the environment), the classroom’s perch among the canopy creates a strong connection between people and the natural environment. This connection inspires critical thought and education with regards to individual responsibility, community leadership and innovation to combat environmental issues. The integration of often overlooked and undignified building materials such as PVC piping challenges people to develop a new perspective on the potential of plastic and recycling.

Location: Tulum, Mexico

Client: Tulum Plastic School International Competition

Program: Environmental, Wellness and Education Centre

Date: 2019

Credits: Gabrielle Argent, Justin Lewis