CMAD architects' school complex in shenzhen evokes 'pastoral' designs

CMAD architects tackles land shortages and building density

Located in Shenzhen’s Pingshan District, the ‘Eastern Greater Bay Area Experimental School’ by CMAD architects is a vibrant complex inspired by pastoral aesthetics. Spread horizontally across the site, the design responds to increased building density triggered by a regional surge in education demands, amid extreme land shortages. This has led to an overwhelming vertical extensions of campus buildings, cutting off the spatial bond between campus, community, and nature.

In light of this, the resulting architecture features a significantly large floor area hosting 45 classes and an impressive sports court. By stacking building modules and gardens and borrowing the site’s topographical qualities, the campus provides children with sufficient venues for activities within a limited land area. Ultimately, the high floor area ratio creates a colorful space for growth, exploration, and play.

a mixed-use, terraced roofscape evoking site topography

CMAD architects (see more here) used stacking and setback patterns to encourage comprehensive uses of the rooftops and help manage height differences between north and south. As a result, the campus takes the shape of layered terraces that conform to the terrain and create dynamic typologies. Overall, children are met with a wide variety of roofscapes, gardens, and open spaces that respect the site’s natural scenery and original landform. ‘All elements, including ramps, terraced platforms, colorful green areas, and special wooden houses, constitute a ‘pastoral space’ with stacked roofs, connecting three to six floors of programs,’ explains the team.

Designed as activity spaces for primary and secondary school students, the roofs are continuously stacked but independent of each other, creating a comfortable and pleasant ‘idyllic oasis’. The teaching space, or ‘wooden rooms’, evokes fairy-like themes and holds mixed-use venues. Some roofs function as practice-based classes where students can learn by doing. Binding the roofscape together is a rich planting system that revitalizes and uplifts the learning atmosphere.

an interactive and connective urban interface in shenzhen

Considering the height difference in the terrain, CMAD set up two school entrances facing the Laokeng Road and Dankeng Road, respectively, forming an overhead corridor. The corridor houses classrooms for music, art, dance, and other majors, injecting vitality into the campus culture and providing a spacious area for evacuation and pickup. Classrooms on the standard floor are designed with double corridors and large depths to offer enough room for inter-class activities.

The campus is also clearly divided into two areas. The first area is a three-story overhead complex for cultural and sports activities; it includes a gymnasium, lecture hall, stormproof playground, vast sports hall, and canteen. The second area mainly covers the teaching hub and school libraries. Facing the city parks on the east and north, the two-story overhead corridor frames charming vistas for students to enjoy. ‘The interaction between the campus space and city park, combined with the facades along the street, creates a comfortable and harmonious urban interface,’ concludes CMAD architects.