American International School of Zagreb

New Combined PK–12 Facility (International Design Competition) | Zagreb, Croatia

The multi-school 13,000-m2 (140,000-sf) Središće Educational Complex consists of a new 6,000-m2 (65,000-sf) building for the American International School of Zagreb designed by Flansburgh, as well as a Croatian kindergarten and a Croatian elementary school designed by Sangrad + AVP. With a shared vision of an elegant, highly structured scheme that resonates with its urban context and reflects the educational priorities of each school, Flansburgh and Sangrad + AVP jointly won the international competition hosted by the City of Zagreb to design the new educational precinct. After award of the competition, Flansburgh engaged AISZ and continued to refine the design with the school’s input.

From the street, the new AISZ responds to the clean modernist aesthetic of Novi Zagreb, the communist-era neighborhood where the school is located. Flansburgh's design supports a culture of collaboration, interdependence, and community grounded in personalized learning. The school is organized around three outdoor courtyards interwoven with learning commons, dining commons, and team meeting spaces. Open plans and transparent walls provide educational flexibility with visual connections to indoor and outdoor learning activities. Classrooms open onto informal learning spaces which can be used for break-out, meeting space, and collaborative activities between multiple classes.

Front exterior of AISZ with purple/pink sunset streaking behind

Students using staircase and staggered seating at American International School of Zagreb with windows looking to courtyard

Interior sitting area of American International School of Zagreb (AISZ) with long tables and alternating green and white chairs

Aerial view of courtyard of American International School of Zagreb at dusk with large staircase and vertical windows surrounding

Classroom of American International School of Zagreb with students seated at chairs around square tables and windows looking out to courtyard

Student seated at workspace with tables and chairs American International School of Zagreb looking over cluster of trees with a light wood door on either side

Exterior view of alcove with large white tiles and windows on interior areas, grass patch in between

Aerial of American International School of Zagreb with trees to the right

Project Information

Time Span 2015–2018

Type New Combined PK–12 Facility (International Design Competition)

Client American International School of Zagreb

Size 8,400 square meters (90,000 square feet)

Cost $16.6 million

Design Team David Croteau, Principal-in-Charge; Jenni Katajamäki, Project Architect

Local Architect Sangrad + AVP

Consultants Paralaksa (Interior Design); Baljkas-Projekti (Structural Design); BIT ARH (Building Physics); Omega Projekt (HVAC); MBT Inzenjering (Electrical); Inspekting (Fire Protection); APIN Projekt (Fire Protection); Nord-Ing (Landscape Architect); Uredenje Krajobraza (Landscape Architect)

General Contractor Projektgradnja; Teh-Gradnja

Photographer Robert Benson; Miljenko Bernfest

Videographer Raber Umphenour

Certifications Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Certified A+

Awards Croatian Chamber of Architects Medal for Architecture (2018)

BSA Honor Awards for Design Excellence (2019)

BIG SEE Architecture Award (2021)

AIA New England Architecture Awards - Honor Award (2023)

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View of exterior at dusk with large vertical windows to the left with blue lights and windows in back with yellow light

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Multi-School Središće Educational Complex with an overview of the city of Zagreb, Croatia

American International School of Zagreb

New Combined PK–12 Facility (International Design Competition) | Zagreb, Croatia

The multi-school 13,000-m² (140,000-sf) Središće Educational Complex consists of a new 6,000-m² (65,000-sf) building for the American International School of Zagreb designed by Flansburgh, as well as a Croatian kindergarten and a Croatian elementary school designed by Sangrad + AVP. With a shared vision of an elegant, highly structured scheme that resonates with its urban context and reflects the educational priorities of each school, Flansburgh and Sangrad + AVP jointly won the international competition hosted by the City of Zagreb to design the new educational precinct. After award of the competition, Flansburgh engaged AISZ and continued to refine the design with the school’s input.

Exterior of school with blue sky in background

Time Span	2015–2018
Type	New Combined PK–12 Facility (International Design Competition)
Client	American International School of Zagreb
Size	8,400 square meters (90,000 square feet)
Cost	$16.6 million
Design Team	David Croteau, Principal-in-Charge; Jenni Katajamäki, Project Architect
Local Architect	Sangrad + AVP
Consultants	Paralaksa (Interior Design); Baljkas-Projekti (Structural Design); BIT ARH (Building Physics); Omega Projekt (HVAC); MBT Inzenjering (Electrical); Inspekting (Fire Protection); APIN Projekt (Fire Protection); Nord-Ing (Landscape Architect); Uredenje Krajobraza (Landscape Architect)
General Contractor	Projektgradnja; Teh-Gradnja

Photographer	Robert Benson; Miljenko Bernfest
Videographer	Raber Umphenour
Certifications	Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Certified A+
Awards and Honors	Croatian Chamber of Architects Medal for Architecture (2018) BSA Honor Awards for Design Excellence (2019) BIG SEE Architecture Award (2021) AIA New England Architecture Awards - Honor Award (2023)