Located in the center of the function area for students' living and studying, and adjacent to the Peking University Hall and No.2 Teaching Building, the New Sun Student Center of Peking University is a building integrate student activities, services, management and other functions. With the rapid development of the Information age, the problems of single function and aging facilities make the space unable to meet the students' extracurricular needs. Therefore, starting from the small theatre, making the New Sun Student Center a creative convergence point on campus has been the focus of this project.

People's behavior depends on who they are and where they are.

"The attributes of the cells in human body will subconsciously guide human behavior" -- from this perspective and extending further, the activation of a space can be achieved by injecting creatively developed unit components to expand the functions of space; as a result, the ideal of transforming an "idle"  or even "ruins" space into "happy space" would be reached.

"With a limited budget, we are determined not to do decorative design, but to create a cell component to accommodate and develop the diversity of space functions."

 -- Project designer,Erin Huang(Partner of FEI Architects)

Cell and Building Block: Building Functions

Just as the human cell is the building block responsible for creating all the basic functions, the designer began with the concept of "Less is more", so that each component can create greater possibilities like the cell. On this basis, the concept of basic unit is used to design a step-like component and three small accessories. The space is still that space, but through this big furniture design, the small theatre is filled with infinite possibilities, which is also the value of design.

Organization and System: Scene Construction

Based on the combination of several fixed units, the designer designed a number of functional scenes to meet extra-curricular needs such as club activity rehearsal, display and exhibition, self-study and exchange, group discussion, rest and leisure, party and gathering, etc. The components, which are easy to combine and move, allow students to freely re-create to increase the diversity of functions and enhance the usage rate of space.

When different clubs rehearse at the same time, the space could be divided into several areas; The small red table is not only for discussion, but can also serve as display table or chess board; When there is a formal performance, the stand is surrounded by an arc to form a complete stand; While with temporary stools, it can accommodate 300 people. Thus the original small theatre is able to accommodate more possibilities, evolving from a primary ecosystem to embrace a variety of forms.

Individual and Behavior: Ambience Creation

The new space can stimulate people's creativity and at the same time enhance people's thinking. When needs of functions and scenes are satisfied, teachers and students become the protagonists of this space. All kinds of ambiences permeate in the space and make it possible for teachers and students to communicate and interact as well as build social relations. Thus components and combinations become a key factor in triggering social interaction.

"Creative Space" and "Situational Construction" have become the main clues of this small theater space design, as well as the pioneer in launching "Activating Space" and "Aesthetic Teaching", which also demonstrate the potential of temporary space.

By exploring, in an alternative way, such easy-for-combination and sustainable approach, FEI Architects hopes to reintroduce "cell" into the modular public structure and lead in more diversified leisure activities for urban residents.

Project Name: Small Theater of New Sun Student Center of Peking University

Location: Peking University

GFA:680 m² Chief Architect: Erin Huang

Project Team: Zhuo Jinwan

Clients：Peking University

Photographer：yemao