A global community of students capable of building a more sustainable future. With this ideal in mind, the Norman Foster Foundation (NFF) has conceived its Can Rafal School project. A pioneering educational environment where architecture and learning converge to support a new educational model focused on sustainability, creativity, and outdoor learning.
Developed by the NFF’s Architecture and Technology Unit at the request of Green School Ibiza (GSI), the project draws inspiration from the island’s vernacular architecture, reinterpreting traditional building techniques, local materials, and craftsmanship, while fostering meaningful connections with farmers, artists, entrepreneurs, thinkers, and the broader community. Its compact layout preserves the surrounding agricultural landscape, and the integration of terraces and natural materials creates an environment deeply rooted in its local identity. The NFF has prepared a proposal to carry out the research and planning for GSI, located a short distance from Santa Eulalia des Riu.
As highlighted by the prestigious architecture firm, the goal of Green School Ibiza is to provide a pioneering education committed to the years ahead, with the transmission of values centered on the preservation of the planet. Thus, the essence of Green School is based on four pillars.
First, a unique curriculum aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and focused on entrepreneurship and real-world skills. Second, the school will be built with the community’s well-being in mind, in an environment where students, parents, and teachers are encouraged to learn from one another.
Likewise, the goal is to create an iconic campus that sparks curiosity, with buildings that stimulate the senses and evoke a connection to nature. Finally, the goal is to foster an approach centered on sustainability, well-being, and global citizenship, with an education tailored to achieve economic prosperity and responsible citizenship while emphasizing our connection to nature.
According to the NFF, Green School Ibiza will be based on these four pillars and will advance the Green School concept with an educational curriculum tailored to today’s needs. Similarly, the island’s culture and architecture will influence the school’s design and strategy. Construction techniques and materials will serve as inspiration for the design, and specific partnerships will be established with local farmers, providers of outdoor activities, activists, entrepreneurs, artists, thinkers, and any other relevant stakeholders. The same will be true of international individuals and organizations, which will enrich the school’s curriculum and the community’s global reach.
