Panoramic View of the Wind and Rain Playground
Photo Credit: Summer Solstice
This project is situated in Yueyang County, Hunan Province. To commemorate the 60th anniversary of their alma mater, the donor has funded the construction of a new wind and rain playground on the campus of Yueyang County No. 3 Middle School. This facility also doubles as a lecture hall.
The design aims to provide students with an enhanced space for sports activities while injecting vitality into the otherwise orderly and formal campus environment.
School Grounds Near Farmland Villages
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Aerial View of the Site
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Northwest Square
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View Facing the Playground
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The newly constructed wind and rain playground is located at the southwest corner of the campus. A height difference exists between the main school area and the playground, currently separated by a simple rubble retaining wall. Access is limited to a narrow staircase, which restricts movement and poses safety concerns.
View of the Wind and Rain Playground from the Main Building
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South Courtyard
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Southeast Corner
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Main Entrance
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Main Entrance
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Main Entrance
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Main Entrance Square
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West Side Entrance
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The site selection was a collaborative decision between the architect and the school. Instead of simply placing the new structure at either the lower or higher ground, the design spans the elevation difference. This, combined with the surrounding landscape, creates a smooth and natural connection between the main campus and the playground.
Exploded Diagram
The main space of the Wind and Rain Playground is elevated, featuring a jagged, undulating form inspired by the mountainous landscape around Yueyang. Positioned opposite the main school building, curved outdoor steps extend from the front square down to the lower activity area. These steps also function as seating for leisure.
Facilities such as the sports equipment room and restrooms are located at a lower level and are designed to integrate seamlessly with the outdoor space. Curved forms and local red bricks are used to create a welcoming and approachable atmosphere.
Aerial View
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Night Photography
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Channel View
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Channel Night Scene
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East Facade
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Partial East Facade
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Partial East Facade
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Brick Wall Detail
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Brick Wall Detail
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Brick Wall Detail
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Yueyang experiences hot summers and cold winters, with humid and rainy conditions year-round. To ensure a comfortable sports environment and reduce the school’s costs for mechanical equipment and maintenance, the building incorporates natural ventilation and lighting as key sustainable strategies.
The podium is elevated with continuous ventilation openings at higher points. These openings feature sloped facades that provide self-shading and do not require mechanical controls for opening or closing.
Axonometric Analysis Diagram
Indoor Basketball Court
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Indoor Basketball Court
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A skylight is installed at the top to enhance the spatial atmosphere within the podium. At the base of the north and south facades, a row of full-height, openable doors allows for maximum natural ventilation when opened.
By leveraging principles of wind and thermal pressure ventilation, the design optimizes indoor airflow, reduces humidity, and improves overall indoor comfort.
Ventilation Door Detail
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Seamless Indoor and Outdoor Integration
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Seamless Indoor and Outdoor Integration
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Natural Lighting and Ventilation
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Indoor Ventilation Door with Guardrail
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Ventilation Chimney at the Podium Roof
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Interior Details
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Interior Details
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Interior Details
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A narrow alley runs between the southern campus wall and the building, providing shade and helping to cool indoor air during summer months.
South Narrow Alley
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The serrated roof features ample skylights to ensure natural lighting indoors even on rainy days. Ventilation louvers at the top of each serrated facade prevent heat buildup.
Skylight Detail
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To minimize construction impact on the campus and accommodate the elevation differences, the building employs a mixed construction strategy combining cast-in-place methods with factory prefabricated components.
The base continues the existing height difference of the rubble retaining wall, constructed traditionally with reinforced concrete and red bricks. The upper main space uses prefabricated steel structures for retaining walls and roofing.
Large Staircase Connecting Playground and Main Campus
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Red Brick Leisure Steps
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Leisure Steps
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The design integrates handcrafted red brick masonry with industrial elements, combining the freedom and artistry of traditional brickwork with the precision of industrialized construction.
For example, traditional decorative bricklaying techniques create lighting and ventilation openings in the brick walls. Additionally, the twelve zodiac constellations are incorporated into the brick wall’s concave and convex patterns.
Toilet and Sports Equipment Room
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East Facade
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Twelve Constellation Pattern Brick Wall
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Twelve Constellation Pattern Brick Wall
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The colors and patterns of the main building draw inspiration from an abstract map of Yueyang’s mountains, waters, and plains.
As a school building, this design enriches the environment with engaging and interactive elements for children.
Night Activity Space
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Color and Texture Details
Project Drawings
Location Map
Master Plan
Axonometric Analysis Diagram
Axonometric Analysis Diagram
Exploded Diagram
Floor Plan
Elevation Drawing
Sectional View
Brick Wall Constellation
Project Information
Architect: Su Pu Architecture Studio
Location: Yueyang County, Hunan Province, China
Project Architects: Song Yehao, Chen Xiaojuan, Jie Dan, Sun Jingfen, Bai Sulitu, Chu Yingnan, Han Dongchen, Yu Haowei
Project Contributors: Chen Nan, Fei Hongfeng, Tan Xin
Owner: Yueyang County Third Middle School
Building Area: 1,368 m²
Year Completed: 2017
Photographer: Summer Solstice
Project Type: Primary and Junior High School Facility
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