XiaoQuan Ethnic Elementary School in Sichuan Province, China by TAO

Article source: TAO

The old XiaoQuan Elementary School was severely damaged during the catastrophic 5.12 Sichuan earthquake in 2008 and was demolished afterwards. Supported by donations from several sponsors, the project is to build new school in the center of Xiaoquan old town. The program consists of main classroom buildings, classrooms for various activities, teacher’s office, student dormitory buildings, and dining hall. The new school will host more than 900 students.

Big step (Images Courtesy Yao Li)

• Architect: HUA Li / TAO (Trace Architecture Office)
• Project name: XiaoQuan Ethnic Elementary School
• Location: Xiaoquan town, Sichuan Province, China
• Program: Classroom, multi-purpose rooms, office, student dormitory, dining hall etc.
• Total Floor Area: 8,900 sq. m.
• Photographer: Yao Li

Between school and sports field (Images Courtesy Yao Li)

• Construction cost: RMB 14 Million
• Design: 2008-2009
• Construction: 2009-2010
• Design team: HUA Li, Zhu Zhiyuan, Jiang Nan, Li Guofa, Kong Desheng
• Contractor: Sichuan Huaxiluyi Construction Co.
• Structural system: Reinforced concrete
• Sponsors: Jiangsu Taicang Red Cross, Canton Liuzu Buddhism Temple, Tsinghua_HKCU MBA Group, Peking University HSBC School of Business PE Fund, Qiaoai Organization, Sichuan Society for Promotion of the Guangcai Program.

Cross view the roof (Images Courtesy Yao Li)

The design is conceived as a cluster of small buildings to create a micro-city like campus. The fragmentary instead of unified building composition defines many typological places such us streets, plazas, courtyards, and steps, analogous to original Xiaoquan’s urban space in scale and pattern, so as to provoke a familiar feeling from daily life. These places are intended to encourage diversified and spontaneous activities of children. Various-scale playful corners and labyrinth spaces as passages and playgrounds are created to provoke children’s curiosity and imagination. Through this, we also intend to continue the urban space memory of Xiaoquan town, so as to avoid a rebuilding in brutal, overwritten style without respecting past, which is typical in earthquake area.

Platform between big steps and spine (Images Courtesy Yao Li)

The design responds to Sichuan’s hot and humid climate. Sunshade device, natural ventilation and heat reduction are important elements considered in design. We also explore to maximize the use of local resource and craftsmanship which can be acquired. Local materials such as wood, brick and bamboo are used for windows, walls, and ceilings. The recycled bricks from earthquake are used in pavement. Cast-in-situ concrete are used for exposed structure. The construction is completely done by a local contractor. The construction cost is well controlled within the economical budget of RMB 1,500 yuan per square meter.

Courts (Images Courtesy Yao Li)

Street space (Images Courtesy Yao Li)

Inside spine looking to street space (Images Courtesy Yao Li)

Street space (Images Courtesy Yao Li)

Front court (Images Courtesy Yao Li)

Inside spine space (Images Courtesy Yao Li)

Building facade (Images Courtesy Yao Li)

Inside dining hall viewing courtyard (Images Courtesy Yao Li)

Model

Concept model

Tags: China, Sichuan Province

Category: School

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