The latest educational architectural project by TAO, the Haikou Jiangdong Huandao Experimental School, is currently under construction in Haikou City, Hainan Province. This development includes primary schools, kindergartens, and dormitory apartment buildings, covering a total area of 64,700 square meters. The school is expected to open in 2022. This marks TAO’s second primary and secondary school project in Haikou and represents a continued exploration of educational philosophies and local environmental considerations.
Overall bird’s-eye view rendering © Architectural Firm (TAO)
Situated in Jiangdong New District on the east coast of Haikou City, the site enjoys a harmonious blend of water and urban elements, creating a blue-green coexistence environment. The design envisions the campus as a miniature rural town, organically responding to the natural surroundings. The architecture seamlessly integrates with the countryside, green spaces, rivers, wetlands, and ocean, forming a cohesive and organic whole.
△ Site Location Concept Sketch © Huali
The design also reflects the innocence and playfulness of children through free-flowing curves, vibrant colors, and poetic spatial forms. This creates imaginative environments that enrich students’ experiences and make the campus a memorable place throughout their schooling years.
△ 1:500 Overall Building Model © Architectural Firm (TAO)
△ 1:500 Overall Building Model © Architectural Firm (TAO)
△ Semi-outdoor Activity Area – Rendering © Architectural Firm (TAO)
In the primary school design, the architects aimed to move away from the traditional “fishbone” layout. Instead, a “radiating” floor plan is adopted to ensure the shortest paths connecting various functions, achieving efficient interconnectivity of zones.
Concept Sketch © Huali
A large floating roof covers several independent teaching buildings, tailored to the tropical monsoon climate of Haikou. It provides shading, ventilation, and shelter, while creating ample activity spaces under the eaves. The design incorporates elevated terrain and a “forest” of tall columns, evoking the imagery of hills and bamboo groves. Suspended aerial corridors at varying heights weave through this forest, creating a playful and imaginative environment that encourages children’s natural curiosity and exploration.
Concept Sketch © Huali
△ 1:500 Handmade Model © Architectural Firm (TAO)
Under the intense sunlight filtered through the towering column forest, scattered skylights illuminate large blocks of vibrant color. Visitors wander through this spatial maze, encountering moments of surprise or tranquility. This immersive experience transcends everyday life, creating a spiritual haven for both teachers and students beyond class hours.
△ High Space under the Large Roof – 1:50 Handmade Model © Architectural Firm (TAO)
△ Semi-outdoor Connected Space – 1:50 Handmade Model © Architectural Firm (TAO)
△ Observation Platform – 1:30 Handmade Model © Architectural Firm (TAO)
Functionally, the central area acts as the “heart” of the primary school. It houses public spaces such as multifunctional activity halls, libraries, and lecture halls, all designed to connect with teaching buildings, sports halls, cafeterias, and offices across different levels. This central hub also serves as an important space for children’s extracurricular activities and social interaction.
△ Sectional Perspective © Architectural Firm (TAO)
△ Multifunctional Activity Hall – 1:30 Handmade Model © Architectural Firm (TAO)
△ Exhibition Space – 1:30 Handmade Models © Architectural Firm (TAO)
The kindergarten design features a looped flow layout that offers children ample space to run freely. Continuous ramps connect different levels, with the roof extending the ground plane. The middle level is raised to provide shaded and semi-outdoor activity spaces that protect from rain, responding well to Hainan’s tropical climate. Children can move smoothly from ground to sky, indoors to outdoors, growing freely in this environment.
Concept Sketch © Huali
△ Sectional Perspective © Architectural Firm (TAO)
△ Kindergarten Ramp – Rendering © Architectural Firm (TAO)
△ 1:500 Overall Building Model © Architectural Firm (TAO)
△ Construction Process © Architectural Firm (TAO)
Technical Drawings
△ General Layout Plan © Architectural Firm (TAO)
△ Elementary School Floor Plan © Architectural Firm (TAO)
△ Primary School Section Map © Architectural Firm (TAO)
Project Information
Project Name: Haikou Jiangdong Huandao Experimental School
Owner: Hainan Huandao Industrial Development Co., Ltd.
Location: Haikou, Hainan
Functions: Primary school, kindergarten, dormitory, and more
Design Firm: TAO Architectural Firm
Lead Architect: Hua Li
Design Team: Huali, Liu Yu, Wang Yakun, Leng Xueshuang, Li Wenjie, Wang Langhuan, Xu Ting, Dai Linyi, Liu Peiyi, Wu Yongyi, Gao Kai, Li Ruoxin, Li Ziyuan, Chen Wanyu, Gong Huiqing, Liu Yingli, Li Xiang
Building Area: 64,700 square meters
Structural System: Frame shear wall structure, frame structure, steel-concrete frame structure
Design Period: November 2019 to October 2020
Construction Period: From December 2020 to present
Status: Under construction
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