Sun’ao Elementary School is nestled in the mountains of Wangtan Town, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, spanning over 10 acres. The site is oriented north to south, with mountains to the southeast and villages and rice fields to the northwest. Although the school has been abandoned for many years and most of its structures lie in ruins, the main teaching building, site foundation, and surrounding greenery remain well preserved.
Confronted with the site’s complexity and diversity, we began by establishing a framework: numbering each building, assessing their current conditions, adjusting their functions, and evaluating implementation requirements.
With this detailed assessment, we developed renovation plans for each building. For instance, in the main teaching building (Building No.1), we focused on functionality and safety by updating only the roof, bathrooms, select doors and windows, and transforming one classroom into the main entrance. This new entrance connects the interior and exterior through a wedge-shaped corridor. Notably, the original facade mosaic tiles, ground paving, school motto slogans, indoor blackboards, and corridor doors and windows have been preserved in their authentic state.
The original site of Sun’ao Primary School consists of three terraced levels: the main school building and playground sit at the lowest terrace, a cluster of small to medium bungalows with outdoor activity areas occupy the highest terrace, and a small single-building courtyard connects the two in the middle.
We have maintained the fundamental relationships between these three terraces. To improve circulation, a fourth platform—an entrance plaza—was added to the north side of the main teaching building. Additionally, a micro attic was constructed at the central platform, becoming the core structure of the entire site.
The architectural complex now creates a spatial relationship characterized by contrasting densities: each building cluster is tightly connected and adjacent to expansive open spaces, with dynamic steps and ramps providing diverse transitions between them.
Following renovations, the village and Pengzi Sun’ao Primary School will reopen as an extracurricular study camp, accommodating hundreds of students who will live and dine on-site for several days.
Surrounded by lush mountains and rural landscapes, children primarily play outdoors. However, the original site lacked semi-outdoor spaces offering shade and protection from weather. To address this, we introduced the concept of a “rural greenhouse.” This transparent gable roof structure features glued laminated wood and polycarbonate panels, designed to be lightweight, vibrant, and visually appealing. It deliberately stands apart from the aged main building complex, creating its own identity.
This structure acts as a transitional space between the building and playground, enabling teachers and children to engage in various teaching and interactive activities under shelter. Inspired by typical rural agricultural greenhouses, it allows sunlight to fill the space without excessive exposure, bringing in natural light, rain, dew, and views of the green mountains and waters—precious gifts rural areas offer to urban children.
As a rare comprehensive project deep in the mountains, most of the master builders on site are local villagers. Through casual conversations, we learned that Sun’ao Elementary School was their childhood alma mater. The original school spirit, mottos, mosaics, wrought iron railings, and grand steps have been carefully preserved through the renovation, which has deeply moved everyone involved. We hope this revitalization brings new life to visitors and cherished memories to longtime friends.
Project Drawings
△ Model diagram
△ Model diagram
△ Hand-drawn drawing
△ Generated graph
△ Functional zoning diagram
△ General layout plan
△ Plan of the main teaching building
△ Front view of the main school building
△ Sectional drawing of the main school building
△ Accommodation building floor plan
△ Front view of accommodation building
△ Plan and elevation of gable roof
△ Sectional perspective of gable roof
△ Overall sectional view
Project Information
Architect: Zaozao Architecture Studio
Area: 3,000 square meters
Completion Year: 2023
Photographer: Wu Qingshan
Manufacturers: Nantong Jiazhu Architecture Technology Co., Suzhou Donghong Metal Material Technology Co., Ltd
Lead Architects: Shen Yue, Dai Wenzhu
Design Team: Lei Jinjian, Sheng Ren, Xiong Leshuang, Chen Sisi, Zhao Ziwei, Zhang Ying, Meng Wentao
Structural Engineer: Zhou Jiancheng
Client Representatives: Miao Huayong, Li Maojie
Operator: Baoshan Pinjiang
Principal Contractor: Baoye Group
Location: Shaoxing
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