△ Aerial view of the project
Project Environment
The campus occupies land in all directions, with three-quarters (25,558 square meters) already developed during the first phase. After five years, the school will acquire the remaining quarter (9,091 square meters) in the northwest corner for the second phase. The site is surrounded by campus buildings, bordered by a municipal road to the north and a small river to the west. The teaching area to the south must maintain a minimum distance of 25 meters, while an appropriate buffer is kept from the dormitory building on the east side.
△ Site plan
Southwest bird’s-eye view
Project Requirements
The first phase included one teaching complex and two dormitory buildings, accommodating 36 classes and 229 dormitory rooms, with a total building area of 30,362 square meters. The second phase aims to add 12 classes, 140 dormitory rooms, dining facilities, libraries, specialized classrooms, and other functions, totaling 18,627 square meters.
The school emphasized expanding outdoor activity spaces as much as possible, which became the primary design motivation. Since children spend more than half their waking hours on campus, creating rich, free, diverse, and open learning environments aligns with contemporary innovative education philosophies.
Northwest bird’s-eye view
Design Concept and Logic
The design features a concise, clear spiral form. Starting from the ground, the core unfolds upward to the sixth floor, providing each level with expansive roof activity areas. The gradually tapering upper volumes combined with a suspended lower system prevent any oppressive or enclosed feeling within the internal spaces.
A slight angular deviation in the teaching section strategically responds to site conditions, addressing three directions: maintaining distance from the southern teaching building, accommodating vehicle access on the north side, and connecting to the first phase dining hall on the west side.
△ Shape analysis
Multiple Pathways
Elementary school campuses typically operate under closed management, making the provision of multiple pathways essential for temporal and spatial continuity between buildings. This multi-path organization helps avoid monotonous or authoritarian campus environments, fostering a rich, multidimensional space that supports the country’s innovative education ideals.
△ Southeast facing view
△ Public staircase
View looking upward from the public staircase
△ Interior courtyard
△ Steps within the inner courtyard
△ Aerial view of the inner courtyard
△ Activity platform
△ Activity platform staircase
Facade Texturing
The textured window openings break the monotony and rigidity of the facades by creating a patterned texture through a seemingly random interweaving of window walls. This technique not only satisfies natural lighting and ventilation needs but also complements the vibrant and varied architectural style of the teaching buildings.
△ Dormitory building elevation
South facade of the dormitory building
△ Restaurant building
△ Glazed glass facade of the restaurant
Details on the east side of the building
△ Staircase details
Summary
Hugo Haring once said, “We need to study things and let them discover their own image.” Architecture always originates from specific needs, which often serve as the initial design motivation. The organizational logic that follows aligns perfectly with these needs while responding effectively to various site conditions. This is the essence of the design pursued here.
△ South facade night view
Northeast bird’s-eye view
△ Southeast bird’s-eye view at night
Design Drawings
△ First floor plan
△ Second floor plan
△ Fourth floor plan
△ East elevation
△ North elevation
△ Sectional elevation 1-1
Project Information
Project Name: Yueqing Yuying Boarding School Primary School Phase II Project
Project Type: Architecture
Location: 201 Xiangyun East Road, Chengdong Street, Yueqing City
Design Unit: Landscape Architecture Design and Research Institute of China Academy of Art
Office Website: __AI_ST_URL_0__
Principal Architect: Shi Ke
Design Team: Shi Ke, Dai Jianhua, Diao Likun, Liu Saiqun, Wu Fan, Wang Rui, Chen Cong, Shao Yanyan, Zhang Zhibin, Ge Xiaomei, Zhu Sanli, Ying Zhe Xuan, Xue Xiaodi, Chen Ping, Song Jie, Yu Jiaqing, Zhao Tianlong
Owner: Yueqing Yuying Boarding School
Cost: 90 million yuan
Status: Completed
Design Period: September 2017 – December 2018
Construction Period: December 2018 – August 2020
Land Area: 9,091 square meters
Building Area: 18,627 square meters
Photographer: Aoguan Photography
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