△ Aerial View of Hangzhou Lin’an Fengzhigu Outdoor Nature School © GWP Architects
Our hope is for children to carry their dreams and soar into nature like a paper airplane from childhood, experiencing outdoor fun and diverse knowledge beyond the classroom. This vision inspired the design and construction of this outdoor nature school. Through this project, we aim to instill in students a spirit of cherishing and boldly exploring the natural world.
—— Zhang Guowei, John Zhang (Lead Architect of Wind Valley Outdoor Nature School Project, GWP Managing Partner)
△ Project Location © Google Earth
Lin’an Fengzhigu Outdoor Nature School is nestled amidst expansive natural grass slopes in the suburbs of Lin’an, Hangzhou. It serves as a base camp for outdoor sports aimed at youth. The surrounding environment is picturesque, featuring abundant green spaces and public activity areas. To the north lies a hillside, while township roads are planned along the south and west boundaries.
△ Current Site Conditions © GWP Architects
Although the site is largely undeveloped and the natural environment is well preserved, the buildable land is extremely limited. The site’s red line area covers only 2,804 square meters. To fulfill the project’s functional requirements, the floor area ratio needs to approach 2.0. Since typical school buildings usually require a floor area ratio of about 0.8, this higher density presents a major design challenge.
△ Shape Generation Analysis © GWP Architects
To overcome this challenge, the design team approached the project from multiple perspectives.
At the core of the “Outdoor Natural School” concept is that the school buildings should embody an outdoor spirit and youthful energy, commanding a complete outdoor space. Inspired by the image of a paper airplane—carrying the dreams and interests of youth—the design envisions the building as if it takes flight from children’s hands. This synesthetic approach uses visual impact and spatial imagination to inspire positive, uplifting energy, allowing young learners to “fly their dreams and grow happily” here.
Perspective View of the Main Entrance © GWP Architects
Building on the paper airplane concept, the design integrates functional requirements, flow, specifications, and materials through techniques like segmentation and displacement. This creates a school that is both a practical space and a cultural symbol.
△ South Facade Rendering © GWP Architects
Lin’an Fengzhigu Outdoor Nature School adopts a “summer camp” teaching model, emphasizing the cultivation of healthy bodies and sound characters in youth. It encourages exploration and mutual support, differing from traditional classroom-based education.
To support this innovative learning style and foster diverse student interests and abilities, the architecture is designed to be situational, open, flexible, and dynamic. The dormitory and teaching areas are connected organically across different levels, creating clear and convenient circulation paths. Emphasis is placed on spatial quality to facilitate efficient and dynamic functional connections.
△ Night Aerial View © GWP Architects
The roofs are arranged in a staggered, orderly fashion with intersecting folds that complement the mountain contours behind. The facade features a rich interplay of materials and colors, contrasting warm wood tones with cool white surfaces, and blending solid grids with transparent glass to achieve a harmonious balance.
Schematic Rendering of Landscape Space © GWP Architects
The landscape design thoughtfully responds to the site’s conditions, traffic flow, and the energetic character of youth. It creates a diverse environment that integrates areas for viewing, resting, socializing, and sports. The landscape echoes the building’s distinctive roof design, harmoniously blending architecture with the surrounding ecosystem.
△ Roof Garden Rendering © GWP Architects
Given the limited land, three open rooftop gardens were created to provide spaces for group activities, encourage spontaneous events, and act as cultural hubs and places for dialogue.
From the educational approach to the architecture itself, Lin’an Fengzhigu Outdoor Nature School centers students in its spatial design, aiming to enrich the educational experience. We hope that once complete, students will be able to “unleash their dreams and grow happily” here.
△ West Facade Rendering © GWP Architects
By investing in this outdoor nature school, we aspire to provide children with a return to the most natural, pure, simple, and joyful place within their hearts. We want them to learn and interact with nature freely, comfortably, and happily, growing and flourishing under the sunshine.
—— Zou Junjun (Founder of Wind Valley Outdoor Nature School)
△ Construction Site © GWP Architects
△ Construction Site © GWP Architects
△ Construction Site © GWP Architects
△ General Layout Plan © GWP Architects
△ First Floor Plan © GWP Architects
△ Second Floor Plan © GWP Architects
△ Third Floor Plan © GWP Architects
△ Fourth Floor Plan © GWP Architects
△ Elevation Drawing © GWP Architects
△ Elevation Drawing © GWP Architects
△ Section Diagram © GWP Architects
△ Detailed Wall Drawing © GWP Architects
Project Information
Project Name: Lin’an Fengzhigu Outdoor Nature School
Location: Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Design Period: May 2019 – January 2020
Status: Currently under construction, expected completion in 2021
Site Area: 2,804 square meters
Building Area: 5,362 square meters
Architectural Design: GWP Architects, Yuanshang Design Consulting (Hong Kong) Group Limited
Lead Architects: Zhang Guowei, John Zhang, Ping Wang
Design Team: John Zhang, Ping Wang, Jackle Luo, Xiangjun Huang
Construction Drawing Design: Mobley Architects
Owner: Hangzhou Fengzhigu Tourism Development Co., Ltd
Main Materials: Concrete, glass, aluminum, paint
All rights to project design, images, and text belong to GWP Architects. Unauthorized use will be prosecuted.
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