this elementary school by TAO is a mat-building of diverse classroom modules

the mat-building elementary school

Trace Architecture Office (TAO) completes this Qinyijian Elementary School as a celebration of natural light. The project is located in China‘s Sichuan Province and is organized as a ‘mat-building,’ expanding freely across its vast site as a grid of modules. This organization sees an assemblage of two story teaching blocks each comprising a first level ‘platform’ or ‘functional classroom,’ and a second level ‘hut,’ or ‘standard classroom.’ Between these two level blocks is an elevated platform which creates open-air courtyards to ensure outdoor space.

images © Schran Image

the diverse rooftops

Trace Architecture Office (TAO) (see more here) introduces variety to its Qingyijiang Elementary School by topping its classroom modules with a diverse range of rooftops. From afar, this creates a ‘fairy-tale’ view of the school. Inside, skylights introduce soft natural sunlight while the rooftop designs lend unique spatial conditions with sloped or curving ceilings. The design of each roof type and light strategy is based on students’ age and the learning styles of different grades. Thus, students will have diverse spatial experiences in their classrooms as they move through their six years of study.

In plan, the layout sees 54 classes divided into six grade groups, each with a central courtyard for socializing and activities and with no hierarchy or clear center. Classrooms and courtyards are connected by communal corridors to form a uniform grid layout in the teaching block.

skylights by trace architecture office (tao)

The team at Trace Architecture Office (TAO) explains the spirit of its luminous Qingyijiang Elementary School: ‘Children spent the most time on campus in standard classrooms, so the spatial quality is paramount. Most traditional classrooms are vertically distributed and can only get limited natural lights from side windows.

‘The design arranges all classrooms on the second floor, which is the top floor, with access to natural light from the rooftop.  Based on students’ age characteristics and learning styles in different grades, we design six types of roofs for each of them. Classrooms with different roofs get natural light in different ways, creating rich spatial experiences which are relaxing or serious, lively or intense.

‘We hope these bright and tall classrooms like art galleries can bring students fun, creativity, and imagination. With various roofs which are rhythmically organized, the overall appearance of the school is like a cluster of huts in fairy tales.’

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project info:

project title: Qingyijiang Elementary School

architecture: TAO Trace Architecture Office | | @taoarchitects

client: Jingyang District Education Bureau, Deyang

location: Deyang, Sichuan

principal architect: HUA Li | TAO (Trace Architecture Office)

design team: Hua Li, Yan Yadong, Li Wenjie, Chen Yuan, Wang Langhuan, Du Yunqiao, Cheng Xiangju, Zhao Kai, Ma Kun, Feng Zhenhui, Tang Yuanhong, Song Jing, Chen Xiaoyi, Zhao Wenjia, Guo Siyang, Lei Zheng, Zhang Ming

completion: 2019-2022

photography: Schran Image | @schranimage