The Yanjiang Rural School, situated in Yanjiang Village, Jiangxi Province, has undergone an expansion to enhance educational facilities. The project aims to better serve 450 students from five nearby villages by providing comprehensive primary and early childhood education amenities. Central to the expansion is the reconstruction of a teaching building housing 13 classrooms and a library.
The design thoughtfully preserves the existing dormitory and mature trees, integrating multiple courtyard spaces by leveraging the natural surroundings. These courtyards serve as flexible outdoor areas aligned with the school’s educational philosophy, providing spaces for agricultural learning and encouraging students to engage in rural development initiatives.
Emphasizing functionality, the project utilizes local materials and features exposed structural elements and drainage systems. This approach not only showcases craftsmanship but also simplifies future maintenance and management. Construction progress and quality were closely monitored remotely due to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, budget constraints, and technological limitations.
Respecting the site’s natural environment, the school’s architectural form harmonizes with the campus’s topography and construction conditions. The design incorporates a series of courtyard spaces and takes advantage of the site’s elevation changes to create covered play areas and libraries. This minimizes excavation work and provides students with unique activity zones.
The classrooms are designed with a north-south orientation to ensure ideal indirect sunlight. Convection windows provide effective ventilation for both classrooms and hallways. The arched roof is a strategic response to Jiangxi’s rainy summers, facilitating efficient rainwater drainage while increasing interior ceiling height. This design allows natural light to enter and helps cool the space during summer months, reducing electricity consumption.
The building’s structural system uses a simple framework that organizes space efficiently. Drainage pipes are cleverly integrated along structural columns, combining aesthetic appeal with ease of maintenance. Curved doorways enhance movement flow and meet fire evacuation standards. Locally sourced plain bricks are used for the walls, highlighting the natural material textures inside and ensuring construction quality and integrity.
The interactive corridors feature seating integrated into the walls to foster student interaction. Open staircases and platform areas further encourage social engagement between different floors.
Project Drawings
▲ Model diagram
▲ Model diagram
▲ Model diagram
▲ Base schematic diagram
▲ First floor plan
▲ Second floor plan
▲ Sectional view
▲ Analysis chart
▲ Vertical transportation system
▲ Structural schematic diagram
▲ Analysis chart
Project Information
Architectural Firm: DOMAT
Area: 1,600 m²
Project Year: 2022
Photographer: DOMAT
Lead Architects: Ma Jieyi, Mark Kingsley
Project Team: Ma Jieyi, Mark Kingsley, Chen Qifeng, Tong Weizhi, Gianfranco Galagar, Wu Qilong, Xiang Ying
Location: Yichun
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