The school was designed with young students’ comfort and learning needs in mind. To reduce solar glare, the building incorporates a canted roof that lets diffuse light enter the classrooms. This helps prevent eye strain, discomfort, and distraction, creating a well-lit environment that supports both concentration and positive cognitive and emotional development.

The classrooms themselves are wide and open, designed to be flexible and adaptable to the school’s experiential learning approach. In addition to the classrooms, the project team from General Architecture Collaborative, working alongside African Design Centre fellows, made creative use of excess construction materials, site stone, and locally woven rope and netting. These were transformed into climbing structures, ramps for accessibility, slides, hammocks, and railings. The design process was rooted in play and shaped by conversations with elementary school students, ensuring the spaces responded to their needs and imaginations.

The school features adaptable classrooms that align with an experiential learning model, supporting teacher-child engagement and individualized learning. Designed for comfort and performance, the spaces reduce solar heat gain and glare while maximizing ventilation and natural light. With a focus on accessibility, safety, and shared ownership, Jabana Preschool creates a nurturing setting for children to grow, learn, and thrive.