Experimental Primary School of Suzhou Science and Technology Town

Our proposal here takes advantage of the existing constraints and leverages the maximum value from the natural surroundings - Confronting both the tight city grid and the grand nature nearby, one side of the site is edged by the lush nature such as canals, wetlands and mountains. The opposite edge of the site is facing a highly artificial environment filled with high density apartment towers.

The traditional academy is not only a place for knowledge, but also as a physical presence which witnesses our evolution in history and transmission of culture. The design of Suzhou Experimental Primary School reinterprets an integration of traditional culture of Suzhou academies and contemporary ideals in education.

Grouping and categorizing various functions of the school, we form 3 rather distinct courtyards by clustering standardised classroom units. Within an autonomy of grid system, every classroom fulfilling the basic educational purposes is located on the western edge of the site with an interface juxtaposing the city. Also the offices for teaching staff, administration, auditorium, library, outdoor playground and canteen all have different area, form and massing requirements. A terracing form creates setbacks and creates groupings of multiple functions, which is arranged along the eastern edge nearby nature.

The outdoor playground is situated on the east of the site establishing an interesting dialogue with the setbacks of the architecture. This communal spine not only links up the entire school along the north south direction, but also acts as a buffer zone to mediate between the standardised classrooms and interactive experience spaces. The north of the entry atrium is a formal extension of the topographical change of the auditorium and possesses a semi-outdoor theatre which features punctures of irregular skylights. All these spatial settings instigate a milieu for a constructive dialogue between the students and teachers.

Credits and Data
Project Name: Experimental Primary School of Suzhou Science and Technology Town
Architects: ZHANG Bin / Atelier Z+, LI Shuo / D-plus Studio
Project Architect: CHEN Hao (Schematic Design & Developing Design), DING Xinhui (Compitition)
Project Team: WU Renjie, ZHANG Jinxia, XIE Linbo, XU Jiajin
Design Cooperation: China Railway Engineering Design Institute Co., Ltd.
Location: 88 Keye Road, Science and Technology Town, National New and Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province
Client: Social Programs Service Center of Suzhou Science and Technology Town
Time: Jun., 2013 - Sep., 2015
Site Area: 43880m2
Gross Floor Area: 53422m2
Cost: 250,000,000Yuan RMB
Photography: XIA Zhi ，CHEN Hao,