An amphibious structure made of bamboo that houses a school for underprivileged children in Bangladesh was adjudged one of the six winners of the 2019 Aga Khan Award for Architecture. The structure expanding on 486 square metres was built using simple materials such as different varieties of bamboo, recycled tires and steel drums and rises with the water level. The modular structure incorporates space for a preschool, a hostel, a nursery and a vocational training centre. The modesty of the programme, the use of materials and the construction method are all successful parts of building this amphibious school through experimental and collaborative teamwork. Though simple and compact, the project resolves complex issues – of buoyancy, anchoring against the river current and waste management.