10 Design, an esteemed international architecture practice and part of the Egis Group, has emerged victorious in the competition to design a groundbreaking 74,000 sq m school project in Qianjiang New City, Hangzhou. This visionary architectural concept, led by the brilliant Design Principal Peby Pratama, redefines the traditional approach to primary school design by introducing the innovative “grassland village” concept.
A Hub of Innovation and Community
At the heart of Hangzhou, 10 Design envisions an extraordinary educational hub catering to 2,000 elementary school students while also serving as an accessible and child-friendly public space for the local community. Departing from the conventional institutional building layout, the “grassland village” concept transforms the future school into a dynamic and cohesive ecosystem.
The Green Oasis in Urban Density
The proposed campus capitalizes on the waterfront location by introducing an undulating green deck that connects the urban green corridor in the west to the high-rise residential community in the east. This ergonomic deck acts as a floating oasis amidst the bustling urban environment of Hangzhou, seamlessly linking functional clusters while providing ample green outdoor spaces that foster meaningful interactions between landscapes, teachers, and students.
Design for Optimal Learning
The meticulously planned school masterplan features 48 teaching units, including specialized facilities for science, art, physical education, information technology, and performance art. These teaching blocks are thoughtfully arranged in the southeast, away from the motorway, fostering communication and collective learning among students of similar age groups.
Nurturing Public Spaces
Beneath the verdant green deck lie shared facilities such as the library, canteen, and activity rooms, artfully arranged along an east-west main street that runs through the campus, serving as a vibrant central public space. To infuse natural light into the specialized classrooms and create intimate courtyards and breakout spaces, skylight atriums have been thoughtfully incorporated into the design.
Cultivating Sustainability and Connection to Nature
The architectural choice of an earthy color palette and natural textures for the façade symbolizes the concept of a safe, healthy campus immersed in nature. The overall development prioritizes maximum daylight, natural ventilation, and green spaces, evident in the classroom design and orientation. Furthermore, strategically placing the student drop-off point in the basement, along with the queue-measuring smart system, alleviates overground traffic congestion.
Peby Pratama’s Vision for the Future
“We aim to create a learning environment that nurtures environmental education and fosters social interaction for the generations to come. Our design embodies openness, vitality, and sustainability, serving as both an organic response and a celebration of nature in Hangzhou’s new city,” shared Peby Pratama, the visionary Design Principal.
A Catalyst for Hangzhou’s Growth
The Qianjiang school is poised to become an urban center of the future, with its high-standard, low-density education space. Moreover, it will act as a significant international anchor for Hangzhou, complementing its reputation for breathtaking “paradise on earth” scenery and thriving high-tech enterprise clusters that drive economic growth.
In conclusion, the “grassland village” future school design envisioned by 10 Design under the leadership of Peby Pratama embraces a novel approach to education, nature, and community. This innovative project promises to transform Hangzhou’s educational landscape while fostering a harmonious coexistence between nature and urban living. As the city moves towards a sustainable and inclusive future, the Qianjiang school will stand as a shining testament to the potential of progressive architecture in shaping the generations to come.
Project Data
Name Qianjiang New City Future School
Location Hangzhou, China
Client Hangzhou Chengdong New Town Development Co. Ltd.
Scope by 10 Design Masterplanning, Architecture
Type Education, Civic & Culture
Site Area 41,000sqm
GFA 74,000sqm
Status On-going
10 Design Team
Design Principal| Peby Pratama
Project Leader | Joey Qu, Shuo Zhang
Architecture | Yan Liu, Luke Santoso, Grace Zhang, Bethany Huang, Ryan Zhao, Gillian Du, Jiaxing Lu,Siyi Li
Visualisation by Frontop