Měšice is a municipality in the Central Bohemian Region, located about seven kilometers from the northern edge of Prague. Like many such municipalities, Měšice is a satellite of the capital. Its inhabitants, like those in any other satellite, do not want to live in a dormitory-like environment, but in a place that offers a full, enriching life. One of the key elements of emancipation is the establishment of its own educational system. Recently, both the citizens and the municipal leadership have focused their efforts on this goal.

Inspired by the progressive developments and solutions in the nearby Líbeznice, where we had assisted the municipality with similar challenges, we were approached to propose solutions for the most pressing issues, particularly those related to the operation and development of the existing, municipality-managed kindergarten.

Since 2017, we have presented several studies, including feasibility studies for new locations. Eventually, in 2019, we came up with a simple idea. We proposed placing the preschool and school operations in one location in the center of the village — in the dilapidated and unused farm buildings of the castle complex.

The central space of the complex is a park. Between the farm wings and the plots with family houses, there are spacious courtyards, once used for agricultural purposes. Here, we have proposed school gardens and outdoor sports facilities. As part of the proposal, in addition to placing the school in the western wing, a new gymnasium will be built, and the kindergarten will be located in the eastern wing’s farm building.

Initially, this plan was considered impossible. However, with time and the refinement of the idea into the design, the possibility of placing educational functions in the baroque granaries proved realistic. The idea gained support, and the project, tentatively called “School in Versailles,” began to take shape. We are now on the verge of realization. If the idea succeeds, the municipality will gain a revitalized center, historic buildings will be preserved, and the vast gardens and parks will serve the children. An important modus operandi for the rescue and repurposing of neglected historic monuments will emerge.

After addressing the question of “WHAT” needs to be done, we then tackled the issue of “HOW” to do it. From 2021 to 2023, proposals, studies, and designs were developed to specify the adaptations of the farm buildings and exterior spaces.

The school facilities will be built into the farm wings according to the project. Everything will be based on the windows. Sufficient natural light is the first requirement for the new school operations. Large-format glass walls will be installed in suitable locations so as not to disturb the valuable views, which are an essential part of the heritage of the complex. The existing barns will house classrooms in a "House in House" design. The granaries will accommodate communal functions. The vaulted space of the stable will be converted into a dining room.

The project will be executed in such a way that the heritage value of the Haffenecker layout will be preserved and restored. As mentioned, the farm wings are part of the Měšice Castle complex. The buildings being renovated are former granaries, barns, and stables, and they are a compositional part of the complex, symmetrically enclosing the central park with the castle building and the Sokolovna building. The existing composition includes two original, symmetrically placed, three-story granaries with mansard roofs on either side of the main castle building, complemented by barn wings and stables that extend into the central park. Both wings of the castle complex are built symmetrically, and the symmetry and centripetal nature of the composition are emphasized by the landscape planting, circular path, and water feature in the center.