Lumio Private School in Paphos (Cyprus) is a non-profit international school. It operates under the ownership of Bright Era Education, a British non-profit organisation that acquired the former American Academy complex in 2023. The school is officially licensed by the Cyprus Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth.
After purchasing the American Academy site in 2023, Bright Era Education engaged in planning, securing permits, and designing the renovations. Major refurbishment commenced in early 2024, with Phase A completed in time for the launch of primary and lower secondary grades in September 2024 and Phase B completed in 2025, when school expanded gradually, built out full secondary facilities, sports fields and enhanced wellbeing and outdoor learning spaces.
EdDesign LLC created modern educational spaces, the architecture was led by Lazarou & Michael along with general contractor A.N. Ioannou Constructions Ltd.
Campus Design
Lumio’s campus spans roughly 6.8 hectares. EdDesign LLC provided educational spaces for Lumio that are modern, functional and comfortable for students, parents and staff.
The project involved full renovation of interior spaces led by EdDesign: innovative classrooms, science and IT labs, art/music/ceramics rooms, a library. All spaces are equipped with functional, ergonomically bright furniture solutions and systems carefully chosen by EdDesign. Learning environments are carefully crafted to support engagement, creativity, and academic success in terms of school educational concept and mission.
The interior finishes are clean, calm, and designed to foster focus and comfort: neutral tones dominate, with natural materials (wood finishes, natural daylight, soft acoustic panels) to reduce harshness and enhance wellbeing.
Classrooms are designed for flexibility: movable furniture, breakout corners, writable surfaces, ample circulation space. This supports Lumio’s inquiry-based and project-based learning by allowing different arrangements (group work, individual study, discussions).
Lighting is maximized: large windows and daylight access are prioritized in renovated buildings to reduce reliance on artificial lighting and to improve mood and attention.
Science, Drama and Library Spaces
Special attention as it is put at Lumio’s official site was paid to the specialized zones, one with cutting-edge science facilities designed to provide students with an immersive, hands-on learning experience in Physics, Biology, and Chemistry.
They include professional systems that supply electricity, vacuum, gas, water, drainage, and individual fume extraction directly to each table, allowing all students to work simultaneously while maintaining a flexible, dynamic classroom layout; Mobile Water Stations & Eye Wash Showers сonnected to the ceiling system for safe and accessible lab work and other state-of-the-art features that empower students to experiment, explore, and innovate in a safe and inspiring learning environment.
Another is Drama and Music Classroom with a spacious, versatile space design, advanced acoustics and production capabilities, equipped with eco-friendly sound- and light-absorbing materials based on the Black Box concept for optimal acoustics. Modular stage platforms configure dynamic stage spaces for performances. Sound engineer’s room with a mixing console and specialised microphones designed for professional studio recording. The facility provides students with the opportunity to develop their performance, sound production, and recording skills in a professional environment.
And the Library is a large multifunctional space designed to support a wide range of learning activities, offering distinct zones for collaboration, focused study, and relaxation. This versatile space is perfect for both group work and individual tasks, with a reading area for quiet reflection and leisure reading, workstations for individual study, with soundproof booths for uninterrupted, quiet study or personal work. Soundproof ceilings and soft flooring ensure a peaceful, noise-controlled environment.
Informal Learn-Spaces
Shared spaces (corridors, learning commons, libraries) are treated as active zones: EdDesign LLC has introduced “informal learn-spaces”, alcoves and small open gathering points along circulation routes, so students might use transition spaces for collaboration, reading or small group work.
Acoustics and comfort have been considered carefully: ceilings or wall panels, soft floor finishes, and sound dampening where needed to create calm interiors even in busy shared zones.
EdDesign’s choices help to bring together the educational philosophy and the physical environment: by creating spaces that are flexible, human-centred, well-lit, and acoustically comfortable, they make it possible for inquiry-based learning to happen not just in a classroom, but throughout the campus.
Thoughtful layout of common areas and shared learning zones reflects the idea that learning is not just in lessons, but also in interaction, collaboration, informal moments. The interior design supports the values of belonging and growth, by ensuring that spaces are welcoming, accessible, calming, and adaptable.
With all of this, Lumio emerges not only as a new school in Cyprus but as a coherent project where architecture, interior design, and the educational programme are deeply aligned.
“Happy children, learning together”
Lumio’s vision is to prepare “happy children, learning together”, who are resilient, globally minded, academically strong and creative. Its values are summarised in the acronym B.R.I.G.H.T.: Belonging, Resilience, Innovation, Growth, Heart, Thinking. The school emphasises an enquiry-based and project-based learning approach, with strong support for wellbeing, creativity, arts, music, sports, and character education. The language of instruction is English, with ESL (English as a Second Language) and inclusion support.
The curriculum is bespoke, based on the Cambridge International Curriculum for Grades 1-10, with intentions to introduce the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for Grades 11-12 in due course. Extracurricular offerings are extensive: robotics, entrepreneurship, arts, crafts, sports, music etc. Class sizes are kept small (max ~20 students per class) to support personalized learning.
September 2025
