# Abstract School Houses This Colorful School Room Makes Use of a Once-Abandoned Space By Vasiliki Marapas | Published 2014-10-03 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/colorful-school-room References: [contemporist](http://www.contemporist.com/2014/10/02/gelm-annex-by-diaz-paunetto-arquitectos/) & [diazpaunetto](http://www.diazpaunetto.com/) Architect Víctor Díaz Paunetto transformed an abandoned building in Puerto Rico into a colorful school room. The original building was built in the 1960s and abandoned 20 years later. This is the first attempt at [rehabilitation](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gyngyszem). The [sustainable project](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cole-du-znith), titled GELM Annex, is an example of how we can reuse and recycle materials to build anew. The architect was challenged with a modest budget and time restrictions. Despite the limitations, he strove to create a structure that would be straight-forward, consistent and durable. To achieve this objective, the architect utilized corten steel for the skin of the structure. The [perforated pattern](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/darlington-public-school) of the steel is informed by the surrounding bamboo hedges, establishing a relationship to the natural surroundings. The sun-screen of the steel is punctuated with colored glass panels, allowing colored light to filter into the space. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.2/10 - Popularity: 70% | Activity: 47% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Reuse and Recycle:** The sustainable project demonstrates the trend of reusing and recycling materials to build anew. - **Affordable Rehabilitation:** The architect's ability to create a structure within a modest budget and time restrictions highlights the trend of affordable rehabilitation. - **Integration of Natural Surroundings:** The use of a perforated steel pattern inspired by surrounding bamboo hedges showcases the trend of integrating natural surroundings in design. ### Where This Applies - **Construction:** The project highlights opportunities for the construction industry to embrace sustainable practices and affordable rehabilitation strategies. - **Education:** The transformed school room suggests opportunities for the education industry to repurpose abandoned spaces and create innovative learning environments. - **Architecture and Design:** The innovative use of materials and integration of natural surroundings presents opportunities for architects and designers to create environmentally-friendly structures with artistic elements. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Playful International School Interiors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/red-house-school-villalobos.md) - [Blue-Toned School Makeovers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fuquiang-school.md) - [Sustainable Colorful School designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wonderland-elementary-school.md) - [Modern Blue-Accented Academic Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marie-esther-pavilion.md) - [Nature-Promoting School Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/primary-school-1.md) - [Education Architecture Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rainbow-international-school.md) - [Sustainable Educational Architecture Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sustainable-educational-architecture.md) - [Traditional Sustainable School Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/universidad-ean-1.md) - [Brutalist Converted Learning Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/archipelago.md)