△ © Octopus sees architecture
Project Background
The Hefei Middle East Campus (Yaohai Campus) is situated in the emerging eastern center of Hefei city. This new hub revolves around the historic industrial district of Yaohai and extends across the modern urban areas of Yaohai, Baohe, and Feidong.
The campus spans approximately 209 acres, with a total planned construction area of 188,900 square meters. It is designed to accommodate 96 high school classes, catering to a student body of 4,650.
Formerly known as Luzhou Middle School, Hefei No.1 Middle School was established in 1902. The school values its 120-year legacy and traditional Chinese cultural philosophy, embracing the motto “Embracing the World’s Ambition and Being the Master of the Future.” It promotes openness and inclusiveness while looking forward to creating a high-quality architectural environment that supports educational needs and reflects its unique identity.
Location Map of Central Zone 1 in Hefei
△ Historical Memory – Memorial Archway of Luzhou Middle School, the Gate of Hefei No.1 Middle School
△ Hefei East New Center (Yaohai District)
Design Objectives
- Position Hefei as a city of scientific and technological innovation to support the rapid growth of the eastern new center and Yaohai District.
- Blend traditional cultural heritage with contemporary development to create an influential educational campus architectural complex.
- Ensure the campus meets the functional needs of high-quality high school education through efficient layouts and streamlined organization.
△ Campus aerial view © Wu Qingshan
△ Functional axis side view
Design Concept
The Essence of Chinese Culture: The Academy Garden
△ Campus aerial view © Wu Qingshan
The campus design draws inspiration from traditional academy courtyards, reflecting the heritage of Luzhou Middle School. It is organized into two main academies:
- The southern teaching academy, which includes the comprehensive teaching building, international exchange center, science and technology innovation center, library and administration building, as well as the arts and sports center.
- The northern living academy, composed of student dormitories and faculty residences.
These two academies are functionally connected via spatial nodes and covered corridors, forming a cohesive and unified campus.
Drawing from Anhui’s traditional multi-entry halls, the campus spaces are tightly arranged, fostering a quiet, safe, and harmonious learning environment within the core teaching area. Each grade level has its own concentrated internal academy area, enhancing functional efficiency and spatial intimacy.
The campus courtyards are linked by Chinese-style corridors with roofs featuring elegant folds that create a dynamic visual rhythm. The sloping roofs incorporate traditional forms such as Xieshan, Sipo, round ridge, hanging mountain, and flush gable styles, harmoniously reflecting Hui culture and embodying a humanistic spirit.
The courtyard space between the teaching, international exchange, and academic conference areas © Wu Qingshan
△ Teaching group space combination © Wu Qingshan
△ Teaching Group © Octopus sees architecture
△ Entrance to Teaching Group © Wu Qingshan
△ Academy within the teaching group © Octopus sees architecture
△ Teaching group garden © Wu Qingshan
The street and alley space connecting the living and teaching areas © Wu Qingshan
Rational Order, Poetic Future
The overall spatial arrangement incorporates classical garden layouts alongside sleek, futuristic buildings. This blend creates vibrant squares, streets, green hills, and landscape corridors that foster a dialogue between traditional order and a romantic, forward-looking spirit. The aim is to cultivate a diverse, rich, and dynamic cultural and educational environment.
At the heart of the campus lies a cluster of three landmark buildings: the Library and Administration Building, the Life Service Complex, and the Art and Sports Center. These structures form the campus core, generating a strong sense of centrality and dynamic spatial interaction. Together, they shape a “clover-shaped spaceship,” integrating futuristic aesthetics with the campus environment and introducing varied architectural styles.
Academic Conference Center © Wu Qingshan
Academic Conference Center Courtyard © Octopus sees architecture
Details of Academic Conference Center © Octopus sees architecture
△ Science and Technology Innovation Center – Honoring the Legacy of Laoyi Middle School © Wu Qingshan (left), Octopus Jianzhu (right)
Dynamic core campus space © Octopus architecture
Library administration, arts and sports center, and lifestyle services © Octopus architecture
△ Library atrium © Wu Qingshan
△ Library Administration Building and Academic Conference Center © Wu Qingshan
△ Student Dormitory © Octopus sees architecture
△ Campus and City View © Wu Qingshan
△ Campus and City View © Wu Qingshan
△ Teaching group roof combination © Wu Qingshan
Project Information
- Construction Project: Hefei Middle East Campus
- Owners: Hefei Education Bureau, Hefei East New Center Construction Investment Co., Ltd., Hefei No.1 Middle School
- Construction Area: 188,939 square meters
- Construction Period: 2021-2022
- Location: Hefei, Anhui
- Design Unit: Zhejiang University Architectural Design and Research Institute
- Design Directors: Lu Dan, Wang Qiyu
- Project Leaders: Wang Qiyu, Chen Xiaolong
- Design Guidance: Luo Qingping (Professor of Architecture at Zhejiang University), Zhang Yan
- Architectural Design Team: Chen Xiaolong, Yuan Shuai, Gao Mengge, Xia Huangjing, Tang Kairen, Xia Yan, Wu Qinyi, Fang Hanzhi, Tang Ruichen
- Structural Design: Wang Zhenggang, Chen Jiayun, Chen Xiao, Xu Xufeng, Cai Shuqi, Ye Jian
- Electrical Design: Lu Dehai, Jin Shengjie, Zhao Ying, Liu Kexu
- Water Supply & Drainage Design: Wang Pengfei, Shen Jingwen, Chen Zheyi, Dai Jian
- HVAC Design: Lin Fengfan, Zhao Dandan, Wang Xuefeng, Yang Hongji
- Intelligent Design: Lin Hua, Yang Guozhong, Shang Yuanzhuo, Sun Chaomin
- Landscape Design: Zhu Liang, Li Qianwen, Huang Yumiao, Xiong Shibao, Zhi Yixiao, Zhang Ting, Xu Run (China Academy of Fine Arts)
- Interior Design: Dong Hao, Yu Zhibin, Song Jiaying, Ge Lujun, Ren Zhiyong, Xu Xiaojia, Yu Jing, Cheng Jianfei
- Curtain Wall Design: Hang Fei, Wang Lei, Zhang Jingzhe, Xu Junkai, Dou Lisha, Jiang Qi
- Stage and Acoustic Design: Chi Wangang, Chen Yong, Chi Jiabei
- Lighting Design: Lu Danyu, Zheng Long, Lv Jiaqi, Yu Zicheng
- Construction Economy: Shi Yaping, Chu Qianbo
- On-site Management: Zhang Shanwen, Zhu Tianhao
- Survey Unit: Construction Comprehensive Survey and Research Design Institute Co., Ltd
- Construction Unit: Anhui Sanjian Engineering Co., Ltd
- Supervision Unit: Anhui Construction Supervision Co., Ltd
- Photography: Wu Qingshan, Octopus Sees Architecture
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