NLÉ unveils expanded version of its makoko floating school in china

NLÉ — the architecture, design, and urbanism practice led by kunlé adeyemi — has revealed its fourth prototype and third iteration of the makoko floating school. first presented in 2013, and relaunched for the 2016 venice biennale, the project is a prefabricated self-built system for water that explores the challenges and opportunities of urbanization and climate change.

the project is a prefabricated self-built system for water
image courtesy of NLÉ (also main image)

NLÉ’s third iteration of the design, titled ‘MFS IIIx3’, occupies jincheng lake in chengdu — a city in china’s sichuan province. the 2,200-year-old site is the result of an irrigation system that was built in 256 BC and is still in use today. the lake keeps the region free of floods and drought and ensures that it remains one of china’s most fertile and economically developed urban and agricultural areas.

‘MFS IIIx3’ occupies chengdu’s jincheng lake
image courtesy of NLÉ

as with previous iterations, MFS IIIx3 explores an ancient yet contemporary relationship with water. the design itself, which has been developed in collaboration with fanmate and KRJS, comprises three floating structures of different sizes: small, medium, and large. constructed from wood and locally-sourced bamboo, the three buildings, clustered around a communal plaza, serve as an open air concert hall, an indoor exhibition space, and a small information center.

the 2,200-year-old site is the result of an irrigation system that was built in 256 BC
image courtesy of NLÉ

the scheme has been constructed from wood and locally-sourced bamboo
image courtesy of NLÉ

the floating design explores an ancient yet contemporary relationship with water
image courtesy of NLÉ

the three structure being moved into position
image courtesy of NLÉ

a pier leads to the three prefabricated buildings
image courtesy of NLÉ

each structure provides a different function
image courtesy of NLÉ

project info:

type: exhibition space, concert hall, information center, public plaza
team: kunlé adeyemi, nicolò santini, berend strijland, charlotte verdier
collaborators: sunfire creative industry org., chengdu fanmate creative furniture co., chengdu keruijiesi technology co., ltd.