Green School Bali has completed The Living Bridge, a groundbreaking architectural project that represents the culmination of a two-year collaborative journey led by internationally acclaimed architect Jonathan Mizzi, Director of Mizzi Studio. This innovative structure, developed through the school's pioneering Jalan Jalan program, stands as a living symbol of regenerative education, community collaboration, and nature-inspired design that brings together students, educators, and parents in an unprecedented co-creative process.

The Living Bridge Project began in 2023 as an integral part of Jalan Jalan, which serves as a cornerstone of Green School Bali's sustainability-focused curriculum. The program takes its name from the Indonesian term meaning "wandering" and "taking a journey," perfectly encapsulating its mission to invite students into hands-on, place-based projects that merge academic learning with real-world impact. Jonathan Mizzi, who serves not only as an internationally recognized architect but also as a Green School parent and mentor, collaborated with educators to develop a comprehensive brief for students to completely reimagine The Bridge, originally established in 2017 as a co-working and co-learning center for parents by founders Chris Thompson and Carol Da Riva.

What followed was an extraordinary two-year deeply collaborative journey that engaged multiple stakeholders in meaningful ways. Students, educators, professional architects, and parents all participated actively in workshops, community pitch sessions, comprehensive design reviews, and dedicated fundraising efforts. This inclusive approach ensured that every voice was heard and every perspective was valued throughout the design and construction process.

The Living Bridge Project serves as a natural extension of Green School's foundational philosophy, offering a comprehensive blueprint for how educational infrastructure can actively regenerate the land, its people, and the innovative ideas that emerge from their collaboration. The project demonstrates regenerative principles not only in its physical construction but also in its social and educational reach through mentoring, co-creation, and empowering the next generation of designers and changemakers who will shape our future built environment.

Teams of students aged between 15 and 18 years old explored multiple disciplines throughout the project, including architectural design, physical and digital modeling, animation techniques, hands-on construction methods, and professional filmmaking. This comprehensive approach resulted in not only innovative designs but also the development of a completely new educational model for collaborative learning between students and industry professionals. Chris Thompson, co-founder of The Bridge at Green School, praised the initiative, stating, "In all my years here, this is the best community-student-teacher-parent project that I've seen."

The architectural redesign responds thoughtfully to the evolving needs of The Bridge, which was originally repurposed from the school's recycling center to house workshops, talks, and parent-led initiatives as a collaborative working space that enables both personal and professional exchange. At the heart of this transformative project lies a deep commitment to sustainability, shared intergenerational learning, and building in harmony with local craftsmanship and traditional knowledge systems.

The new design of The Bridge creates a living and breathing space that is partially open to the natural elements, fully embracing the indoor-outdoor learning ethos that fundamentally defines Green School's educational approach. The structure was constructed using over 300 pieces of locally harvested bamboo, shaped using advanced heat-bending techniques that were developed in collaboration with local experts from Bamboo Pure, making this one of the first projects of its kind in Bali. This innovative approach joins a campus filled with pioneering bamboo architectural innovations, including The Arc, Green School's celebrated gymnasium that is renowned for its groundbreaking structural design.

The project features an innovative sustainable materials palette that showcases cutting-edge environmental technologies. This includes terrazzo made from crushed glass combined with a biocomposite blend, mycelium acoustic panels that provide natural sound dampening, eco-crete bricks manufactured from industrial waste ash, and lime plaster, a remarkable material that actively sequesters carbon as it cures. Eight gracefully arched heat-bent bamboo pillars support a sweeping bamboo roof that cantilevers outward, creating a welcoming gesture for visitors approaching from the school's main entrance. This distinctive roof is clad using the traditional 'Pelupuh' system, featuring flattened bamboo shingles that are characteristic of Indonesian vernacular architecture.

The architectural structure draws profound inspiration from nature's own intelligence systems, specifically the Wood Wide Web, which refers to the underground fungal network that connects trees in forest ecosystems. This biological metaphor is beautifully mirrored in the web of human collaboration that made The Living Bridge possible, creating connections between different generations, disciplines, and perspectives.

The Bridge co-learning center will continue to serve its vital function as a venue for hosting events, educational programs, and inspiring talks, significantly amplifying its role as an opportunity for Green School parents to contribute their expertise and share their wisdom with all students. The space brings together this unique community of learners, entrepreneurs, educators, environmentalists, changemakers, and global influencers in meaningful dialogue and collaboration.

The Living Bridge represents a revolutionary new kind of educational model, one that carefully cultivates learning through genuine connection, unbridled creativity, and collective authorship. This approach perfectly echoes the school's founding ethos that education should not merely take place in nature, but actively engage with it as a partner in learning. Eden Rice, a participating Green School student, reflected on the transformative experience, saying, "Working on The Living Bridge was the first time I felt like we weren't just students, we were designers, decision-makers, and changemakers. It gave me confidence in what I can do beyond school."

As an integral part of the project, students also developed an innovative interactive digital platform designed to connect alumni, parents, and current students, effectively laying the groundwork for future collaboration, ongoing mentoring relationships, and shared initiatives that will extend the project's impact far beyond its physical completion.

Prior to its official opening, The Living Bridge was prominently featured at ChangeNOW 2025, recognized as the world's largest exposition of solutions for the planet, which took place from April 24-26 at the prestigious Grand Palais in Paris. This international inclusion highlights the project's global significance and its important role in advancing regenerative education and sustainable design practices on an international stage. The exhibition stand drew significant interest from visitors and dignitaries, including a notable visit from actress and environmental activist Natalie Portman, who engaged meaningfully with the students leading the project.

The new center will continue to evolve as a dynamic communal space dedicated to curiosity, innovation, and meaningful exchange, effectively planting seeds for a more hopeful future where the next generation plays a central role in shaping a harmonious world. Jonathan Mizzi explained his motivation and experience with the project: "I came to Green School because of the climate crisis and because I wanted to be part of something actively shaping a better future for my children. What began as a simple parent request to mentor her son evolved into a two-year regenerative journey that brought together students, educators, professionals, and families. I had the privilege of co-leading a course that empowered students to reimagine not just a space, but the future they want to live in. Along the way, they became the teachers. Their clarity, creativity, and purpose restored my belief in what's possible when we trust young people to lead. Only at Green School could something like this take root. That's the magic that made The Living Bridge possible."

This remarkable project, spanning 179 square meters and completed in 2025, demonstrates how educational architecture can serve as a catalyst for environmental stewardship, community building, and innovative design that respects both local traditions and global sustainability goals. The Living Bridge stands as a testament to what becomes possible when diverse communities come together with shared vision and commitment to creating positive change for future generations.