The project for the TianTai County ChiCheng Second Primary School strives for a unique design that will serve as a model school which provides a beautiful environment for the cultivation of knowledge, culture, physical fitness, art and ethics for elementary school children. The design focuses on the relationship between architecture and site, site and city, form and function. Because of the very small area given, the 200m running track was projected onto the roof level, giving an additional 3000+ sqm of usable area on the ground as well as the oval shape of the school building, creating a sense of inward-ness and security for the students. Lifting the running track also allows for a total project height of 4 floors instead of 5 as originally required, creating a more harmonious relationship between the new school and the surrounding urban context. Lastly, the building was twisted about 15 degrees, creating smaller pockets of space between the site wall and the exterior envelope. The project’s ambition lies in creating a school that raises the level of educational facilities in the area, and a place that the residents of TianTai will be proud of.

Project Team: Ruan Hao, Gary He, Zhan yuan, JIN Shanliang, Chen Lina

Project Period: Design 2012, Construction 2013

Size: 10190.36 sqm

Architect of Record: Zhejiang University Urban Research & Design Institute