Campus architecture serves not only the present but also envisions the future. It addresses not only academic needs but also supports personal growth, balancing efficiency with vitality. At Shenzhen Senior High School (Group) North Campus New Park (referred to as “Shenzhen High School North New Campus”), the educational environment is designed to be dynamic and interconnected, encouraging students to explore knowledge, their surroundings, and the broader world. Learning thrives through the ever-evolving relationship between students and campus resources.
Located adjacent to the Shenzhen North Station transportation hub, this micro-campus adopts a design philosophy that integrates and harmonizes with the surrounding urban environment while looking toward the future. Balancing the demands of current exam-oriented education with the evolving needs of quality education presents a key design challenge. The campus layout is clear and logically organized: on the east side of the main axis, two colleges composed of four long teaching buildings accommodate a full primary and secondary curriculum. This design emphasizes functionality and supports educational equity and competition.
Looking ahead, the design promotes the evolution of education while maintaining the core elements of the current model. The resource center, placed at the heart of the campus, breaks traditional spatial order through decentralized planning. Emphasizing spontaneity, richness, and fluidity, this space positions students as the main actors. The resource center functions as a “miniature urban settlement,” housing diverse interest-based activities like music, dance, art, calligraphy, and exploration, all integrated alongside the library. This functional and natural integration inspires students’ curiosity and fosters a more efficient, shared, and equitable learning experience.
The resource center is crowned with a large, organic roof resembling a floating cloud. This design provides shade, ventilation, and shelter, responding effectively to Shenzhen’s tropical climate. It also offers ample space under the eaves for campus activities. Drawing inspiration from Shenzhen High School Group’s “Purple Castle” campus culture, the ceiling features a gradient of twelve colors based on purple. This bold color scheme breaks traditional norms and reflects the youthful, adventurous spirit of the students. The expansive structural design adds a raw, powerful energy to the space.
The architect believes that the most valuable time in a child’s life is spent on campus, where the environment evolves from efficiency to vitality. Every detail of the campus subtly shapes a child’s perception of the city, nature, and environment, influencing the development of their personality. The design encourages fragmented spatial scenes, offering students continuous opportunities for exploration and delightful surprises throughout the campus.
The flexible teaching spaces encourage spontaneous use and open interpretation by both teachers and students, aligning well with the vision of future open education. The design creates a three-dimensional circulation system with a combination of ground-floor courtyards, external corridors, and aerial walkways. Along with multi-level terraces, setback platforms, and rooftop gardens, this layout enriches campus life and offers students diverse daily experiences beyond traditional classroom learning.
On every floor, platforms are thoughtfully placed to allow students to enjoy open views, disrupting the regular rhythm of the teaching buildings. These platforms create an engaging facade where teachers and students become part of the urban backdrop, conveying a cheerful and lively atmosphere to the surrounding community. The three-story elevated main entrance connects with the urban park to the south, establishing an open, ceremonial interface that shelters visitors from the elements while providing a gathering space. The facade design skillfully uses light and shadow to deliver a rich spatial experience.
The campus’s east facade features a landscape platform that flows freely like a mountain range, creating a continuous activity area where students can feel immersed in nature and move freely. These organic curves not only make the space more fluid but also create a poetic environment that carries the memories of student life. Shenzhen High School North New Park represents a bold, innovative step in future school design, rooted in local context and reflecting a deep understanding of education and space. It embodies our hopes and aspirations for the next generation.
Project Drawings
▲ Function Diagram
▲ Functional Zoning Diagram
▲ Color Design Description
▲ Sectional View
Project Information
Architect: Huayang International Design Group
Area: 53,356 m²
Project Year: 2023
Photographer: Li Yi
Manufacturers: Xinyi, Xinhongtai
Lead Architect: Zhang Yanlong
Architectural Design Team: Zhang Yanlong, Wu Zhixin, Kou Hao, Wang Jie, Li Shiqiang, Wang Weitao, Antai, Zheng Xindong
Construction Team: Longhua District Construction and Engineering Bureau (District Rail Center), Shenzhen
EPC Engineering General Contracting: Huayang International Design Group
Location: Shenzhen
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