Dezeen Magazine

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

This four-storey school in Tianjin, China, by Vector Architects has a series of irregularly shaped classrooms protruding from the facade on the first floor.

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

County Elementary School comprises 48 classrooms, a canteen, games field and sports hall.

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

A series of ramps and staircases lead up to an outdoor terrace at first-floor level that acts as a buffer space between the classrooms, sports hall and playing field.

The roof is punctuated by three giant light-wells that flood the first floor with natural light.

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

All photographs are by Shuhe Photo.

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

Here's some more from the architects:


Design Concept:

Our goal is to establish a unique place within the school that encourages interaction between the students and teachers through their daily learning and teaching life.

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

The basic program consists of 48 classrooms, a number of special program classrooms, cafeteria, training gymnasium, administration areas and an outdoor exercise field.

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

The design process starts with an analytical research of the spatial pattern of interactive activities, both in plan and in section.

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

A series of physical study model were built along the process, in order to seek the most reasonable spatial and programmatic layout.

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

Eventually the best location of the primary interactive space is discovered to be on the 2nd floor, sandwiched by regular classroom floors, and connected to the skylight through the central atrium, where natural ventilation were maximized.

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

The space is defined by the surrounding special program classrooms, and extends itself to a green roof deck at the south side, which is also the pivot point of the site arrangement.

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

The deck connects to the main school entrance, the outdoor fields, and different parts of the building at different heights by stairs, ramps and bridges.

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

Such a “Platform”, consisting of indoor space and outdoor deck, not only generates and amplifies energy of interactions, also adds visual characters to the exterior building appearance because of the application of distinctive materials and space modules.

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

A series of green technologies are proposed in this project, such as geothermal system, storm water management, green roof, permeable landscape, passive ventilation, maximized natural daylight, recycled material and etc.

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

Architects: Vector Architects + CCDI

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

Design Architect: Gong Dong

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

Partners of Vector Architects: Gong Dong, Chien-ho Hsu

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

Collaborating Architects of CCDI: Xiaoming Hu, Qiang Lv

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

Click above for larger image

Project Architect & Site Architect of Vector Architects: Nan Wang

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

Click above for larger image

Structural Mechanical Electric Plumbing Engineer: CCDI

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

Click above for larger image

Location: Tianjin, China

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

Click above for larger image

Client: County Government

County Elementary School by Vector Architects

Click above for larger image

Building Area: 18,000 m2
Design Period: 12/2008-04/2010
Construction Period: 5/2009-09/2010
Material: Exterior Stucco, Wood Panel, Wood Louver, Perforated Metal Panel
Structure: Concrete Frame & Steel Truss


See also:

.

Bailly School Complex
by Mikou Design Studio
Warrnambool Campus
Building by Lyons
More
architecture stories