Liyuan Middle School / Minax Architects

Architects: Minax Architects
Location: Wuxi, China
Project Team: Lu Zhigang, Huang Yanbing, Cai Shumin, Fu Fei, Tang Zheren
Structural, Mechanical & Electrical Engineers: Shanghai construction design and research institute co., Ltd
Landscape & Interior Architects: Minax Architects
Client/Owner: Wuxi Binhu District Bureau of Education
Area: 40800.0 sqm
Project Year: 2015
Photographs: Su Shengliang

From the architect. The site is located in the center of the city of Wuxi, China. It is divided in two parts, one on the south and one on the north side of the river. The campus has an innovative space organization, subdivided between six buildings with different functions.

The main connection between the south and north zone is a ribbon-shaped corridor, at the second floor level. This corridor links visually the two distinct areas and shapes the school’s outline. In several portions of the project, the space changes accordingly to the dynamic of the corridor. This corridor produces a complex spatiality as a result of the relationship between the fixity of the buildings and the movement of it.

The facade pattern has been designed to resemble the waves of the water. Its smoothness and dynamicity creates a relaxing atmosphere. The central courtyard, shaped by the corridor’s route, breaks the traditional school outline, creating a variegated scenery as a result of the interaction between the buildings and the site.

A hypogeum library and lecture hall are located on both sides of the main courtyard. Thus, the edge line between buildings and the court is blurred, enlarging the area of courtyard and also making both spaces, lecture hall and courtyard, more interesting. The reading area of the library and the lecture hall are irradiated by sunlight coming through several roof windows; the result is a relaxed and poetic indoor environment.

The circular plaza, which connects the library with the central courtyard, is an innovative type of public space for the traditional Chinese campus architecture. We hope that this innovation will help the student to socialize and interact.