In 2015, YCIS Shanghai hired Fielding Nair International (FNI) to design a state-of-art Ronghua Campus in response to meet the increasing demand for their Early Childhood Education program.  YCIS Shanghai is the longest-established independent international school in the region and has a reputation for academic excellence that develops well-rounded, globally-minded students. The total cost of the project was $14.3 million.  

The design called for an extensive interior and exterior renovation of Shanghai’s old Gubei Clubhouse as well as major site work. What was once an abandoned and decrepit building has been reinvented as a vibrant and playful learning community, with all but the foundation and old columns preserved.  The site area is 111,719 sf with an enclosed building area of 94,023 sf. Site work involved creating new a parent drop-off area, changes to parking and site access, and creating outdoor learning and play areas. 

The interior includes a basement level renovation that contains a swimming pool, fitness room for upper secondary students and staff, drama theatre with seating for 200 people, music classrooms, recording studio, and rehearsal rooms for drama and music performances. The first and second floors now contain learning communities for all the young students. The third floor is partially enclosed with rooftop access, and now contains a spacious outdoor area, art classroom with connection to a commons area, administration offices and teachers’ lounge. 

The “hardware” at the new campus supports this curriculum “software”. Learning spaces are designed using flexible layouts that can change according to classroom activities and needs. This supports an agile learning environment where students engage in collaborative, community, and small group settings. The campus includes a range of features that support student-driven experiential learning.

Ronghau campus was awarded the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and is the very first school campus in all of Shanghai to receive a LEED award. The latest technology in air purification, with monitors around the building to view the AQi index in classrooms, allows for customization that can be individually controlled.