Chengdong Elementary School
Location City:
Wuxi, China
Embedding nature in the school experience.
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VIEWS: 4500
Sectors:
Mixed Use
Services:
Architecture,
Interiors
Studios:
Bangkok
Client:
Wuxi Economic Development Division of the Wuxi Municipal Natural Resources and Planning Bureau
Certifications:
Key Info
Includes:
Teaching buildings, a gym, multifunctional buildings, administrative buildings, lecture halls, canteens, sports venues, a common area, a playground, a library, indoor green seating, an interactive space, outdoor learning areas and related support facilities.
Area:
61,000m² GBA
Status:
Concept stage
Map Location
Designing to aid pupil performance
Chapman Taylor won a design competition to design a nature-inspired new school at the Wuxi Economic Development Zone in China’s Jiangsu Province.
Chengdong Elementary School is a non-profit school on a 5.45-hectare site located in the heart of the Economic Development Zone. Our design for the school puts nature at the heart of the new development, blending the architecture with the natural surroundings to encourage a sense of calm and comfort and aiding the children’s performance.
A wide variety of functions and spaces
The 61,000m² GBA scheme includes teaching buildings, a gym, multifunctional buildings, administrative buildings, lecture halls, canteens, sports venues, a common area, a playground, a library, indoor green seating, an interactive space, outdoor learning areas and related support facilities. The complex is designed to hold about 150 faculty members and between 36 and 60 classes.
Inspired by the local context
The architectural design language draws inspiration from the local context, such as the Huishan clay figurines, the vibrant foliage of the trees, the Scholar’s Rock formation and the dynamic surface movement of Lake Taihu. An expression of native elements in the modern architectural form creates a smooth transition between the buildings and the landscape. The refined architectural style evokes the essence of Wuxi and its architectural heritage through its accent colours, perforated façade pattern and curved lines.
Strong design principles
Four fundamental elements informed the design concept:
- Digital learning capability
- Biophilic design for a calm and peaceful environment
- The use of vibrant colours to brighten up the spaces and improve learning experiences
- Embracing diversity and fostering a culturally responsive approach to teaching.
Biophilic features for calm and comfort
The biophilic elements include a stepped green landscape, a timber louvre for the façade, timber-framed doors and windows, a covered walkway with curved edges, a semi-underground green area, an internal pocket garden and a green roof. The design uses curved edges, natural materials and natural light throughout the buildings, particularly the atrium area and classrooms, helping to create a feeling of calm and a comfortable environment.
Interactive, flexible and digitally enabled
The buildings are interactive, flexible and digitally enabled, anchored by the concepts of “luscious green space” and “touching nature”. The aim is to facilitate the learning process as well as encouraging physical fitness, reducing stress, aiding concentration, enabling creativity, fostering self-discipline and promoting student and staff engagement.
Chapman Taylor created this competition-winning design concept for the Wuxi Economic Development Division of the Wuxi Municipal Natural Resources and Planning Bureau.
Chris Lanksbury
(B Arch Dip Arch RIBA)
Director, UK, MENA and Asia
Chris has been at Chapman Taylor since 1979 and has played a major role in the expansion of the practice as a global design studio with particular responsibility for the strategic direction of the international business.
Chris is fully involved in leading the design of projects and has worked on many different types and sizes of buildings in over 70 countries, and is motivated by the creation of sustainable new city masterplans that are responsive and relevant to the location. He believes architectural design is a carefully managed and collaborative process that draws inspiration from the brief, the function, and the place.
Chris si unisce a Chapman Taylor nel 1979 e da allora svolge un ruolo importante nell'espansione del gruppo come studio di progettazione a livello globale. È uno dei quattro soci di Chapman Taylor e ha particolari responsabilità nella direzione strategica del business internazionale.
Chris è inoltre pienamente coinvolto nella direzione dei progetti e ha lavorato su progetti di diverse tipologie e dimensioni in oltre 60 paesi in tutto il mondo. Egli ritiene che il progetto architettonico debba essere un processo di collaborazione accuratamente gestito che trae ispirazione dal brief, dalla funzione e dal luogo.
Крис является частью компании Chapman Taylor с 1979 года и играет ключевую роль в расширении и развитии архитектурного проектирования на международном рынке. Он является одним из владельцев компании и отвечает за стратегическое направление международного бизнеса.
Крис по прежнему принимает активное участие в процессе ведения проектов и обладает мировым опытом в проектировании зданий любых видов и размеров в более чем 60 странах по всему миру. Крис убежден, что архитектурное проектирование – это, прежде всего, тщательно контролируемый совместный процесс, который черпает вдохновение в таких вещах, как задание на проектирование, функциональность и непосредственно место.
Области специализации:
Разработка генпланов/Многофункциональных комплексов/Торговых объектов/Развлекательных объектов/Офисных помещений/Жилых комплексов/Гостиничных комплексов
Chris ist seit 1979 bei Chapman Taylor und spielte eine wichtige Rolle beim Ausbau des Unternehmens als globales Design-Unternehmen. Er ist einer der Eigentümer von Chapman Taylor und trägt besondere Verantwortung für die strategische Ausrichtung des Auslandsgeschäfts.
Chris ist noch voll bei der Design-Leitung von Projekten involviert und hat bei verschiedenen Arten und Größen von Gebäuden in über sechzig Ländern der Welt gearbeitet. Er glaubt, dass Architektur ein sorgfältig gesteuerter kollaborativer Prozess ist, der durch das Briefing, die Funktion und den Ort inspiriert wird.
يعمل كريس في تشابمان تايلور منذ عام 1979 ولعب دورًا رئيسيًا في توسيع الممارسة كعمل تصميم عالمي. وهو أحد مالكي تشابمان تايلور ، ويتحمل مسؤولية خاصة عن التوجه الاستراتيجي للأعمال الدولية.
يشارك كريس بالكامل في قيادة تصميم المشاريع ، وقد عمل على العديد من أنواع وأحجام المباني المختلفة في أكثر من 60 دولة حول العالم. وهو يعتقد أن التصميم المعماري هو عملية تعاونية تتم ادارتها بعناية وتستمد الإلهام من الملخص والوظيفة والمكان.
مجالات الخبرة:
المخطط الرئيسي / الاستخدام المتعدد / المتاجر/ الترفيه / المكاتب / السكني / الفنادق
Awards
Urban Design & Architecture Design Award 2020 -
APR International Design Awards
