Project Highlights
Design Firm: BAU Brearley Architects+Urbanists
Project Status: Completed 2023
Location: Shanghai, Qingpu Distric
Construction Area: 21,425?
Construction Cost: ¥145.365 million
Typology: public school
The Chonggu Experimental School in Shanghai’s Qingpu District stands out as a paradigm shift in educational architecture and design. Unlike traditional public schools in Shanghai, often characterized by their conservative approach and industrial aesthetics, Chonggu offers a breath of fresh air with its innovative, dream-like architecture and commitment to fostering creativity and engagement in students. This curation of the school’s key architectural aspects explores how the design supports a modern, student-centered learning environment.
A Dream-Like Design
Inspired by the canal running through the site and the work of late architect Zhang Zai Yuan, Chonggu Experimental School presents an imaginative approach to educational architecture. The design takes on a whimsical, dream-like quality, featuring parabolic windows, bent corridors, and distorted school typology that create a sense of playfulness and innovation. The architectural style departs from the conventional school design, emphasizing joy, creativity, and a world of possibilities for students and educators alike.
Flexible Learning Spaces
One of the standout features of the Chonggu Experimental School is its flexible learning spaces. Traditional classrooms with rigid, box-like structures are replaced by more open and adaptable environments. Operable walls between classrooms allow for the creation of larger, communal teaching spaces that support team-teaching and inquiry-based learning. This flexibility encourages collaboration among students and teachers, fostering a more dynamic and interactive educational experience.
Sustainable and Comfortable Environments
The school’s architecture not only focuses on aesthetics and flexibility but also emphasizes sustainability and comfort. To combat Qingpu’s hot summers and reduce energy consumption, the design incorporates passive solar control elements such as eaves and fins. These features help prevent excessive sunlight from entering the buildings, maintaining a comfortable internal temperature. Additionally, green roofs and extensive vegetation throughout the site contribute to sustainable urban drainage and biodiversity while lowering the urban heat island effect.
Innovative Educational Facilities
Chonggu Experimental School offers an array of state-of-the-art facilities designed to enhance the learning experience. From the canteen, gym, and sports fields to the library, theater, and specialized rooms for music, art, dance, and science, the school provides students with access to a wide range of opportunities for growth and exploration. The building’s large corridors and informal learning spaces accommodate peer-to-peer learning and project-based work, allowing students to engage in a variety of educational methods.
In conclusion, the Chonggu Experimental School sets a new standard for educational architecture in Shanghai by embracing an innovative, flexible, and sustainable design. By fostering a student-centered learning environment that encourages creativity and engagement, the school offers students and educators the potential to thrive in a modern, adaptable setting. As China continues to explore new approaches to education, schools like Chonggu serve as a testament to the positive impact that well-designed, forward-thinking architecture can have on the future of learning.
