Boxes and Yards Paaralang Elementarya by Xiaoyi Ma

Boxes and Yards Paaralang Elementarya by Xiaoyi Ma is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award na Bakal in Disenyo ng Arkitektura, Gusali at Estruktura Competition Category.

BakalArkitektura· 2021

Boxes and Yards Paaralang Elementarya

by Xiaoyi Ma

Client: Inclusive Architectural Practice

A' Design Award na Bakal Winner in Arkitektura Category

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Colors

The Design

About Boxes and Yards Paaralang Elementarya

Ang Boxes and Yards ay isang paaralang elementarya sa Changping District ng Beijing, Tsina. Sinasaklaw ng paaralan ang kabuuang built area na 29,098 metro kuwadrado at natapos noong 2019. Pinapalitan ng disenyo ang tradisyunal na korridor at solong silid-aralan na plano ng mga learning communities, kung saan ang bawat isa ay nakasentro sa isang grade lounge. Ang mga kahong naglalaman ng silid-aklatan, gymnasium, at kantina ay iniikot upang makabuo ng mga tatsulok na looban na nagdadala ng natural na liwanag at bentilasyon. Ang mga polygonal na espasyo sa loob ay nagsisilbing flexible na mga learning center. Sumusunod ang gusali sa mga pamantayan ng Passive House at gumagamit ng mga materyales na mababa ang pangangailangan sa maintenance.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award na Bakal

Ang Boxes and Yards Paaralang Elementarya ay nagwagi ng A' Design Award na Bakal, isang prestihiyosong pagkilalang iginagawad sa mga mahuhusay na disenyong tumutugon sa mga propesyonal at pang-industriyang kinakailangang inaasahan sa mga mahusay na pagkakadisenyong likha. Ang mga nagwagi ng Bakal ay nagpapakita ng dakilang husay, mataas na espesyalisasyon, dalubhasang pag-unawa at kakayahang malikhain ng kanilang mga lumikha. Inaasahang ang Boxes and Yards Paaralang Elementarya ay isang lubos na pinahahalagahan, hinahangaan at minamahal na likhang praktikal at makabago. Ang disenyong ito na nagwagi ng A' Design Award na Bakal ay nagsasama ng pinakamahuhusay na kasanayan ng industriya at may mahuhusay na katangiang teknikal na may kasamang kaalaman at talento. Ang Boxes and Yards Paaralang Elementarya ay iginagalang dahil sa kaingatan nito at idinisenyo upang maghatid ng mga pagpapabuti sa kalidad ng buhay na tumutulong gawing mas mabuting lugar ang mundo.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: A Story of Boxes and Yards showcases the first public school in China designed for Learning Anywhere Anytime, which breaks through the finger plan and cell plus bell classroom layout in a traditional school. It is also the first school building in Beijing built in accordance with Passive House Standards. Despite of tight budget, with a multi-dimensional, multi-center system of learning communities, this school with a history of a hundred years has turned into a School of 21st Century.
Dimensions & Packaging: Gross Built Area: 29,098 square meters
Tags: Education, Public school, Passive House, Learner-centered, Eco-friendly
Production Technology: Although the wall finish is mostly latex paint due to tight budget, the building is dynamic and playful with rotated massing and spinning color blocks on walls and floors. The interior polygonal spaces, named as Hub of Intelligence, replacing corridors, serve as Lifestyle Center, Student Center, Makerspace, Cybercafe and other multipurpose learning centers for lectures, demonstrations, exhibitions, performances, and project-based learning, achieving Learning Anywhere, Anytime.
Design Challenge: The challenge came from the conflict of the tight budget and strict building code restrictions against the high expectation on transforming the school with a history of over 100 years to a genuine learner-centered School of the 21st Century. The design team have successfully chosen the most cost-effective, environmental friendly and low-maintenance materials and methods to turn the design intent to the best reality.
Research: The design team have fully implemented the methodology of learning communities to create a school for Learning Anywhere Anytime with a multi-dimensional and multi-center space system. Throughout the design process, the architectural concept was firmly rooted in the idea of education, and spatial layout was a priority over artificial forms. The design team was successful in creating a learning community that is highly versatile in its transparency, openness, interactivity and adaptability.
Inspiration: The learning community centered with a Grade Lounge constitutes the basic unit of space layout and provides a sense of home base, forming a series of boxes together with the library, gymnasium, canteen and other learning facilities. Triangular courtyards are created in between the rotated boxes, introducing ample natural light and ventilation inside. This generative design process, called as a Story of Boxes and Yards, has greatly enhanced openness and interactivity of learning spaces.
Project Duration: The Story of Boxes and Yards, with another name, Huang Cheng Gen Primary School Changping Campus, is located in Changping District of Beijing, China. The project construction was completed in 2019.
Operation Flow: The design team believes that design is an effective tool to make changes in education and future. Education philosophies such as multiple Intelligences by the famous educator Howard Gardener, Education as growth by John Dewey, and the best practice of small learning communities are well embedded in design. The school educators also embrace these concepts and complemented the work of designers with their visions and practice in education.
Team Members: Xiaoyi Ma
Pengfei Chen
Jiajia Wang
Yan Xia
Renzheng Zhu
Yang Ming
Xuejiao Zhou
Chaoyi Meng
Yue Zhao
Yue Wu
Jiequn Liang
Lei Bao
Image Credits: Zhi Xia