Wuzhou Elementary School is a public primary school located in central Shenzhen, designed by People’s Architecture Office (PAO) to support contemporary educational models that emphasize creativity, exploration, and experiential learning. The project responds to Shenzhen’s broader transition from an industrial economy to one oriented toward innovation by reconsidering how architectural space can support evolving modes of education.

The school is conceived as a three-dimensional ‘Learning Landscape,’ replacing conventional classroom-and-corridor arrangements with a continuous field of varied spatial conditions. Learning environments are organized as interconnected zones that support different forms of interaction, movement, and engagement. This spatial flexibility encourages student-centered learning while allowing the school to adapt over time as pedagogical needs change.

Interior and exterior learning environments are treated as equally important components of the educational experience. Covered outdoor areas, occupiable architectural elements, and classrooms that open directly to exterior spaces reduce the separation between indoors and outdoors. These conditions support learning beyond the desk, enabling hands-on activities and engagement with natural elements.

all images by Yumeng Zhu

People’s Architecture Office focuses on movement and flexibility

The design team at People’s Architecture Office (PAO) organizes the Learning Landscape around three primary spatial elements: the Mountain, the Valley, and the Beach. Located in the main courtyard, the Mountain houses the school’s theater and cafeteria. Its stepped exterior provides vertical circulation and seating, while a raised platform at its base functions as a stage for performances and events. The Valley, designed at a smaller scale for younger students, features terraced steps descending toward a central mound, creating seating for informal gatherings and group activities. Adjacent to the Valley, the Beach is composed of gently contoured terrain that supports physical play and motor development for younger children.

Large interstitial spaces distributed throughout the school facilitate cross-disciplinary learning, collaboration, and informal interaction. Additional terraced areas, including the green roof, library, and sports facilities, are connected across multiple levels, reinforcing visual and physical continuity throughout the campus.

Vegetation is integrated across the project to address Shenzhen’s tropical climate. Planted areas contribute to passive cooling, help filter air pollution, and reduce noise from surrounding streets. These landscapes also form part of the learning environment, allowing students to engage with plant care and environmental processes. At the urban scale, the school is conceived as an extension of the large public park located to the north, while its greenery contributes to mitigating the urban heat island effect generated by adjacent commercial development.

Wuzhou Elementary School is a public primary school located in central Shenzhen

the school supports contemporary educational models based on creativity and exploration

the campus is conceived as a three-dimensional ‘Learning Landscape’

interior and exterior environments are treated as equally important learning areas

classrooms open directly to outdoor spaces, reducing the boundary between inside and outside

covered outdoor areas support hands-on learning and informal activities

stepped surfaces provide seating, circulation, and performance areas

terraced elements connect the library, green roof, and sports facilities across levels

large interstitial spaces support collaboration and cross-disciplinary learning

vegetation is integrated throughout the school to support passive cooling

architecture is used as a tool to support evolving modes of learning

the school, developed by People’s Architecture Office (PAO), connects to the adjacent public park

project info:

name: Wuzhou Elementary School

architect: People’s Architecture Office (PAO) | @peoplesarchitecture

location: Shenzhen, China

photographer: Yumeng Zhu

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post terraced landscapes anchor hands-on learning at shenzhen elementary school appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Juxtaposing organic tensile forms with a geometric silhouette, Curly Cube by People’s Architecture Office (PAO) reactivates Shanghai’s waterfront for increased social engagement. The installation is modular and adaptable, stretching curvilinear membranes conceived by Serge Ferrari over lightweight square frames.

Inspired by the Gyroid minimal surface, a naturally occurring mathematical structure known for its complex yet efficient geometry, the structure creates a fluid spatial experience within which at night becomes illuminated by gentle, fleeting gradients. With this materiality, its flexibility further allows it to be reconfigured, stacked, or transported with ease, making it a scalable solution for various urban settings.

all images courtesy of People’s Architecture Office (PAO)

PAO juxtaposes organic and geometric forms

During the day, Curly Cube provides shaded enclaves for relaxation, while at night, integrated lighting transforms it into an illuminated spectacle. The team at PAO has carefully positioned lighting to cast vivid colors onto the silver membranes, that shift with the viewer’s perspective.

As a public art intervention, the installation introduces a playful element to the transitory and recreational space along the Huangpu River. Its modular units present multiple functions that can be explored intuitively with friends or with strangers, transforming from seating and partitions to trampolines for tactile and participatory public experiences.

PAO completes Curly Cube

located along the Huangpu River

creating a playful element to the transitory and recreational space

juxtaposing organic tensile forms with a geometric silhouette

tensile, curvilinear membranes conceived by Serge Ferrari are stretched over lightweight square frames

during the day, Curly Cube provides shaded enclaves for relaxation

at night, integrated lighting transforms it into an illuminated spectacle

illuminated by gentle, fleeting gradients

its flexibility allows it to be reconfigured, stacked, or transported with ease

transforming from seating and partitions to trampolines for tactile and participatory public experiences.

project info:

name: Curly Cube
architect: People’s Architecture Office (PAO)
location: Shanghai, China

principal architects: He Zhe, James Shen, Zang Feng
design team: Guo Mingran, Zhang Meng, Yao Ruojin
structural consultant: Liu Su / Beijing Shouan Architectural Structure Studio
lighting design: Pang Lei
construction team: Shanghai Xuben Construction Engineering Co., Ltd.

The post organic, translucent membranes stretch between PAO’s modular installation in shanghai appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

The Fabric Plugin Visitor Center by People’s Architecture Office (PAO) is a contemporary and modular transformation of an old village farmhouse into a local landmark for its rural Chinese site. By introducing a prefabricated, slender, and translucent structure against the original facade, the design distinguishes the center from the traditional architecture of the surrounding area. The modular system used in its construction allows for quick installation, customization, and potential replication, ensuring flexibility for different locations and adapting to the unique needs of various sites.

images © People’s Architecture Office, Guan Zhong Mangba Arts Festival Committee

A Modular Approach to Renovation

Located at the entrance of Caijia Po Village in Xi’an, China, the Fabric Plugin Visitor Center is designed by People’s Architecture Office (PAO) as a modular hub for information about the village and the Mangba Arts Festival. The modular design of the building ensures a consistent approach to the renovation of old buildings in rural areas. In Caijia Po, seven modules have been used to create the visitor center, while a smaller site in Liyukou Village only requires three. This scalable and adaptable approach to construction aligns with the goals of revitalizing rural communities with minimal disruption to the environment.

The new addition to the village farmhouse is characterized by a lightweight steel frame facade, which is intentionally unobtrusive, allowing the original building to remain unchanged. As an independent structure, the new facade offers flexibility and reversibility, enabling the building to be adapted or removed as necessary. The elevated wooden deck, along with a fabric membrane above, provides sunshade and creates a comfortable outdoor area for visitors, extending the building’s interior space to the exterior. At night, three horizontal light strips illuminate the blue membrane, enhancing the building’s visibility and creating a distinct atmosphere after dark.

Fabric Plugin Visitor Center by PAO transforms an old farmhouse into a local landmark

Sustainable, Detachable, and Rapidly Installed

Designed by People’s Architecture Office as a detachable, modular, and easily installed system, the Fabric Plugin Visitor Center preserves the integrity of the original building while introducing new modular functionality. The use of prefabricated modules allows for quick construction and minimal disruption to the local community, aligning with the need for sustainable and efficient architectural solutions in rural areas.

The Fabric Plugin Visitor Center was conceived as part of the 5th Mangba Arts Festival in 2023, an initiative founded by Professor Wu Xiaochuan, alongside faculty and students from the Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts, who launched the Guan Zhong Art Cooperative in 2018. The festival, which includes various rural art interventions, invited PAO to contribute both the visitor center and the interactive installation Starburst. The design reflects a commitment to blending architecture with community engagement, providing a platform for local culture and art while contributing to the ongoing revitalization of rural villages in southern Xi’an.

a prefabricated translucent structure contrasts with traditional village architecture

the modular design allows for rapid installation, customization, and replication across different sites

the project provides information about the village and Mangba Arts Festival

at night, three horizontal light strips illuminate the facade

an elevated wooden deck and fabric membrane create a shaded outdoor area

a lightweight steel frame facade preserves the original building and ensures flexibility

project info:

name: Fabric Plugin Visitor Center

architect: People’s Architecture Office (PAO) | @peoplesarchitecture

location: Caijia Po Village, Huyi District, Xi’an, China

completion: October 2023

photography: © People’s Architecture Office, Guan Zhong Mangba Arts Festival Committee

client: Guan Zhong Mangba Arts Festival 

project planning: Wu Xiaochuan, Song Qun, Guan Zhong Art Cooperative 

design leads: He Zhe, James Shen, Zang Feng 

design team: Huang Jia, Qi Ji, Zhang Meng 

structural consulting: Liu Su / Beijing Shouang Architectural Structure Studio 

The post modular renovation by people’s architecture office meets rural heritage in china appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

The revitalization of an ancient porcelain factory in Jingdezhen’s Imperial Kiln Historic District is guided by what People’s Architecture Office calls a Plugin Architecture approach to preservation and urban regeneration. Known as China’s Porcelain Capital, Jingdezhen holds over 1,000 years of porcelain production history. Respecting this context, the architects insert new elements into and around existing structures to subtly revitalize the site.

The focal point of the design is a modern architectural landmark that integrates into the center of the historic surroundings — a three-story glass building topped by a traditional double-pitched roof. Housing exhibition spaces and a café, the building anchors the public square, its transparency creating a sense of openness in contrast to the solid, historic buildings that surround it. The clay-tiled roof appears to float above the glass, extending the public square into the interior and creating a sense of cohesion between the past and the present.

all images by Zhu Yumeng unless stated otherwise

people’s architecture office bridges old and new

From a distance, the structure emerges from the sea of surrounding clay-tiled rooftops, engaging with the local architecture in a visual dialogue. At ground level, the brick paving of the courtyard continues into the interior of the glass building and transforms it into a landscape of steps that double as seating, accommodating the site’s natural elevation changes. On the opposite side of the square, barrel-vaulted brick rooms form the base of the building’s facade, while a balcony on the third floor extends towards a large, existing chimney, strengthening the ties of the modern structure to the area’s industrial past.

People’s Architecture Office has also revitalized the surrounding new restaurant and old porcelain workshop through the Plugin Architecture approach. The original wood and brick buildings remain intact, retrofitted with modular components that introduce modern functionality such as insulated sleeping quarters, offices, and meeting rooms. Additional modules provide kitchen and bathroom facilities, while newly inserted stairs and walkways connect these spaces and enhance their usability. The Chinese practice has designed the new Plugin components as modern insertions, visually distinct from their historic surroundings yet functionally integrated. To extend public access into the courtyard spaces of the porcelain workshops, one building was rotated to merge the two original courtyards into a single unified space. This reconfiguration allows access from the public square and the glass building to flow through the interior of the courtyard, connecting the entire complex into a cohesive whole.

an ancient porcelain factory in Jingdezhen’s Imperial Kiln Historic District | image by People’s Architecture Office

view of cafe from adjacent porcelain workshop

thee building anchors the public square, extending its paving into the interior

People’s Architecture Office adopts a Plugin Architecture approach to preservation and urban regeneration

the three-story glass building is topped by a traditional double-pitched roof

the architects insert new elements to subtly revitalize the site | image by People’s Architecture Office

Plugin modules used to upgrade the porcelain artist workshops | image by People’s Architecture Office

the original wood and brick remain intact, retrofitted with modular components | image by People’s Architecture Office

third floor interior view of cafe

project info:

name: Porcelain Factory Plugin Revival
architect: People’s Architecture Office | @peoplesarchitecture, Liu Kecheng Design Studio

principal architects Liu Kecheng Design Studio: Liu Kecheng, Xiao Li Principals

principal architects People’s Architecture Office: He Zhe, James Shen, Zang Feng

project architects: Yuan Yingzi, Zhang Meng

project team: Yang Quanyue, Yang Qian, Huang Liying, Zhang Mengyuan, Zhou Shimin, Han Xiao, Liu Yixin, Wang He, Wen Hao, Jiang Ying, Liu Yifeng

structural design: Liu Su/Beijing Shouan Architectural Structure Studio

location: Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Factory Area, China

client: Jingdezhen Ceramic Culture Tourism Group

photography: Zhu Yumeng, People’s Architecture Office

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom

The post people’s architecture office revives ancient porcelain factory in china with exhibition spaces appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Starburst is an abstract sculpture designed by People’s Architecture Office (PAO) as part of the 5th edition of the Guangzhong Manba Arts Festival in southern Xi’an, China. Unfolding as both a visual and interactive public art installation, the sculpture offers a novel way to experience the natural environment, creating a striking intervention in the rural landscape. Peering into its arms reveals a spherical array of kaleidoscopes that capture unique views of the sky, mountains, fields, and nearby villages, offering a constantly changing visual experience through their patterned reflections. Shifts in the environment and changing perspectives establish a dynamic connection between the observer and the landscape.

image © People’s Architecture Office

people’s architecture office designs an array of kaleidoscopes

Entering the center of Starburst, the team at People’s Architecture Office (PAO) offers a simultaneous panoramic view, surrounding visitors from all angles. Individuals standing at opposite ends of the cylinders can see mosaic compositions of each other, creating playful and engaging interactions that forster human connections. From a distance, Starburst stands as a bold landmark, its red color dramatically contrasting the muted tones of the vast wheat fields at the foot of nearby mountains. ‘The installation’s design and interaction with the environment create a unique sense of place, connecting people to the rural surroundings in novel ways. Through its playful structure, Starburst transforms its surroundings into a space for exploration, reflection, and connection,’ concludes PAO. The Guangzhong Manba Arts Festival is a public art program that supports artistic interventions in rural locations of China. 

image © People’s Architecture Office

image © Guanzhong Mangba Arts Festival

image © People’s Architecture Office

image © People’s Architecture Office

image © People’s Architecture Office

image © Guanzhong Mangba Arts Festival

image © People’s Architecture Office

image © Guanzhong Mangba Arts Festival

project info:

name: Starburst

designer: People’s Architecture Office (PAO)
 | @peoplearchitectureoffice
location: Caijiapo Village, Xian, China


client: Guanzhong Mangba Arts Festival


project curator: Wu Xiaochuan, Song Qun, Guanzhong Arts CO-OP

principals: He Zhe, James Shen, Zang Feng


design team: Lin Mingkai, Huang Jia, Qi Ji
Structural

consultant: Liu Su / Beijing Shouan Architectural Structure Studio

photographers: PAO, Guanzhong Mangba Arts Festival Organizing Committee


completion date: October 2023


The post ‘starburst’ sculpture by people’s architecture office frames kaleidoscopic views of rural china appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Sited in the Longgang District of Shenzhen, the Positive Energy House is inspired by nature’s resilience and rejuvenation. People’s Architecture Office took on the project back in 2021, transforming an existing dwelling into a net-positive energy building, powered by layers of solar roofs. In others, not only does it diminish its environmental impact but also actively contributes to regeneration by producing surplus energy. ‘[It] showcases how older buildings can be revamped for peak efficiency without starting from scratch,’ notes the design team. ‘Renovating existing properties aligns with environmental sustainability principles, contrasting with the resource-intensive process of demolition and reconstruction.’
Positive Energy House | image © ZC Architectural Photography Studio

People’s Architecture Office creates double-layer intervention

The renovation by People’s Architecture Office (see more here) involved adding two additional layers to the existing structure, enveloping it with a well-sealed and insulated skin for better energy efficiency. This new layer creates an interstitial atrium space on the south side of the Positive Energy House, beyond the original building but within the insulated shell. Enclosed with a triple-glazed glass facade, the atrium incorporates operable windows and doors for passive ventilation during mild weather. Within the original building, an air vent complements the existing elevator core, utilizing the chimney effect to draw air through the house while also serving as a light well to maximize natural illumination. During moderately severe weather, the atrium can be sealed and mechanically ventilated for efficient cooling, reserving air conditioning for more extreme conditions. Additionally, the atrium features a climbing wall tailored for the owner, an enthusiastic rock climber, spanning across and granting access to all four levels. 

image © ZC Architectural Photography Studio

curvilinear solar roofs offer shade and outdoor terraces

Extending beyond the new skin of the Positive Energy House is a stacked layer of curvilinear roofs, tiled in solar panels to create a cohesive architectural form. These roofs harness the sun’s energy to power the house and are adorned with cadmium telluride photovoltaic panels. Supported by lightweight prefabricated truss structures, these roofs offer significant shade for the house and outdoor terraces while maintaining unobstructed airflow and sightlines. ‘The concept of wrapping an existing house with two additional layers to reduce energy consumption and generate electricity serves as an innovative strategy and a model for sustainable renovation,’ concludes People’s Architecture Office. 

curvilinear solar roofs | image © People’s Architecture Office

image © People’s Architecture Office

image © ZC Architectural Photography Studio

image © People’s Architecture Office

image © ZC Architectural Photography Studio

two additional layers to the existing house | image © ZC Architectural Photography Studio

image © ZC Architectural Photography Studio

image © ZC Architectural Photography Studio

image © ZC Architectural Photography Studio

image © ZC Architectural Photography Studio

photographers: ZC Architectural Photography Studio, People’s Architecture Office / Wang Chengchen
design period: January – September 2021
completion date: May 2023
building area: 505 sqm

The post curvilinear solar roofs outline positive energy house in coastal shenzhen appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

The Flying Tops Arenas are located in rural Yunnan and serve as cultural landmarks that blend tradition, community, and innovative construction. Designed by People’s Architecture Office, these structures support Competitive Top-Spinning, an ancient Chinese sport deeply rooted in Yunnan’s indigenous communities.

The arenas’ design takes inspiration from the sport itself, with dynamic roof planes resembling tops in motion. Each arena is tailored to its specific site. In Baima Village, the arena is situated at the village’s lowest point, ensuring visibility from all households. The descending roof planes create a visual link to the coffee fields below, while internally, they ascend to amplify the sounds of play.

The Qinkai Village arena, positioned along a sloping terrain near a main road, encourages gathering and social interaction. Its larger roof plane follows the landscape’s downward slope, while the smaller plane, covering the spectator area, lifts upwards to frame the mountainous backdrop, integrating the natural environment into the sporting experience.

baima village | all images courtesy of People’s Architecture Office

Flying Tops Arenas act as Community Hubs for social engagement

These arenas go beyond their function as sports venues, acting as hubs for community engagement. They promote healthier recreation and reduce excessive drinking through daily top-spinning activities. The arenas also provide training opportunities for regional and provincial competitions, fostering broader community exchanges.

Construction utilized locally sourced materials due to the remote location. The arenas employ common steel truss structures and local craftsmanship, measuring approximately 26 meters long, 18 meters wide, and 6 meters tall. Designed by the creative team at People’s Architecture Office and supported by the Leping Foundation, the Flying Tops Arenas exemplify resourceful construction and community cohesion.

Flying Tops Arenas are cultural landmarks in rural Yunnan designed by People’s Architecture Office | baima village

these structures support Competitive Top-Spinning, an ancient Chinese sport | baima village

the arenas’ design draws from top-spinning, with dynamic roof planes mimicking tops in motion | baima village

the Baima Village arena stands at the village’s lowest point for maximum visibility | baima village

internally, Baima’s roof planes ascend to amplify the sounds of top-spinning play | baima village

the Qinkai Village arena is positioned along a slope near a main road to encourage social interaction | qingkai village

Qinkai’s larger roof plane follows the landscape’s downward slope | qingkai village

the smaller roof plane at Qinkai lifts upwards to frame the mountainous backdrop | qingkai village

construction used locally sourced materials due to the remote location | baima village

the arenas employ common steel truss structures and local craftsmanship | qingkai village

project info:

name: Flying Tops Arenas
architect: People’s Architecture Office | @peoplesarchitecture

principals: He Zhe, James Shen, Zang Feng

design team: Li Qiuwan, Wang Chengchen

partner: Leping Foundation

structural engineers: Liu Su – Beijing Shou’ang Architectural Structure Studio

floor plan design: Yuan Yingzi

graphic design: Yuan Yingzi

building area: 900 sqm

location: Baima Village and Qingkai Village, Yunnan, China

photography: People’s Architecture Office

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post dynamic flying roof planes by PAO float over sports arenas in rural yunnan appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

People’s Architecture Office (PAO) has recently completed the Amoeba Public Restroom in Manshan Park, a popular destination in Beijing, China. The restroom features a unified meandering silhouette made of concrete, surrounding an all-gender facility. The structure has a distinct undulating shape that resembles an amoeba, hence its name, and houses nine individual stalls of varying sizes and shapes.

Seven of these curved nooks have enclosed doors, forming private toilet cabins, while the remaining two are open and equipped with large wash basins. Each restroom section takes on a conical shape, with an inclined peak and a skylight, creating a pleasant illumination that resembles natural light wells within each stall. Each unit is equipped with concealed lighting along the edges of the walls, providing a gentle glow during dark hours.

all images © Zhu Yumeng, unless stated otherwise

a welcoming and functional environment

Nestled within the bustling park, the Amoeba Public Restroom becomes an integral part of a vibrant social hub that hosts markets, forums, exhibitions, music, and theatrical performances. With this project, the team at the PAO (see more here) has prioritized user experience and convenience. The aim is to create an inclusive environment for people of all ages, including families with children, individuals with disabilities, and those who are gender non-conforming.

The design of the restroom cabins features doors that do not completely seal off the space, fostering a sense of continuity and emphasizing inclusivity over segregation. Wash basins, located at each end of the building, are shared among all visitors, further encouraging a sense of community. The Amoeba project not only serves its practical purpose but also enhances the overall social dynamics of the park, making the experience better for all who visit.

the structure takes its cues from the mountainous setting behind

as it ascends, each section of the restroom adopts a conical shape | image ©PAO

each unit has hidden lighting around the walls, giving a soft glow in the dark | image ©PAO

the stall doors do not completely seal off the space, letting the natural light peeks out

the slanted ceilings, paired with skylights, create a pleasant illumination reminiscent of natural light wells in each stall

image ©PAO

  | image @PAO

project info:

name: Amoeba Public Restroom
architects: People’s Architecture Office | ©peoplesarchitecture
principals: He Zhe, James Shen, Zang Feng
design team: Yang Quanyue, Wen Hao, Lu Boge
structural consultant: Liu Su
lighting consultant: X Studio, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University
landscape consultant: Farmerson Architects
design period: April 2021- September 2021
construction period: October 2021- February 2022

location: Manshan Park, Mentougou , Beijing, China
client: Metro Land Corporation Ltd.
chief curator of manshan park: Zhou Rong
photography: Zhu yumeng, People’s Architecture Office
drawings: Yuan Yingzi, Yang Quanyue, Zhang Hongdou

The post PAO’s public restroom meanders around amoeba-shaped concrete structure in beijing appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

In Shenzhen, China, People’s Architecture Office (PAO) has designed the Fuqiang elementary school to support new ways of learning and quench the growing thirst for creative innovation. The project is based on the concept of a ‘hybrid space,’ which encourages interaction and curiosity for discovery, serving as a ‘second teacher’. Various programs and activities are interspersed among the floors, including elevated glass classrooms, rooftop gardens, and small learning terraces.

aerial view of Fuqiang elementary school

all images by Zhu Yumeng

casual spaces, private areas, and ample greenery 

PAO (see more here) has designed a wide range of rooms that help teachers tailor the learning experience and meet the needs of the many different students. Rooftop gardens, medium-sized courtyards, and small terraces are examples of outdoor learning spaces that can allow for different size gatherings and meet different learning needs. Small sitting areas are also built into the facade to provide students with privacy when they need it. In this way, the students and the different learning activities literally become the face of the school.

The design facilitates learning by giving chances for students to engage with the actual world, bridging the gap between study and real-life experience. The design blurs the limit between indoor and outdoor settings, while dispersing greenery throughout the school both horizontally and vertically to ensure that kids are exposed to and learn from nature.

aerial view of Fuqiang elementary school

elevated glass classrooms

Fuqiang elementary school celebrates creative learning that is physical, experience-based, and performative by allocating elevated glass classrooms. In this way, activities such as music, art, and dance can be easily seen and appreciated from other locations on campus. Facing a major road to the north, these cantilevering spaces also project the creative character of the school towards the city.

The new campus doubles the size of the original campus and makes high-quality education and innovative learning accessible to more students. PAO’s design brings together the old school buildings, a dedicated STEAM education building, and new classrooms and facilities into an integrated whole.

entrance

rooftop landscape

southwest courtyard

greenery on the facade

corridor

north courtyard

stepped seating

project info: 

name: Fuqiang elementary school
architecture & landscape design: People’s Architecture Office
construction unit: Shenzhen Institute of Building Research Co., Ltd
principals: He Zhe, James Shen, Zang Feng
project leader: Li Zhenghua
project team: Tang Yanni, Xu Jialing, Kong Ming, Gao Pengfei, Zhang Xian, Zhu Zhonghui, Cai Yuhan, Zhang Chi, Yang Yuting, Wang Yibo, Tan Tan, Gu Naiquan, Xia Xin, Liu Ruochen, Li Qiuwan
co-designer: Shenzhen Institute of Building Research Co., Ltd
project leader: Wang Xiangyun
project team: Huang Jinlong (Architecture), Zhang Daquan (Structure), Hao Qidong (Water Supply & Drainage), Zhang Jin (Strong Current), Wei Houwen (Weak Current), Lin Wensheng (HVAC)
site area: 11, 190 sqm
building area: 28,528 sqm

The post glass classrooms and learning terraces encourage interaction within PAO’s school in shenzhen appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

image by zhang chao

people’s architecture office (PAO) designed qianhai floating city as part of the ‘instant city’ category of the 2020 qianhai future urbanism/architecture exhibition. the show explored new models for city planning based on public participation and bottom-up practices. such approaches stand to contrast to the top-down urban planning that is conventional in shenzhen, where qianhai is located. 

image by zhang chao

the design of the qianhai floating city was a collective effort and the result of discussions between people’s architecture office (PAO) and exhibition participants. the structure hosts a range of shifting and flexible programs, including movie screenings, lectures, workshops, and other public events. visitors are invited to traverse the floating city’s colorful pathways to explore various embedded artwork. meanwhile, guests are offered encompassing views of the city as they inhabit the three-dimensional grid.

image © PAO

image by zhang chao

image © PAO

image by zhang chao

image by zhang chao

image by zhang chao

image by zhang chao

image by zhang chao

image by zhang chao

image by zhang chao

image by zhang chao

project info:

project title: qianhai floating city

architecture: people’s architecture office (PAO)

location: shenzhen, china

client: 2020 qianhai future urbanism/architecture exhibition

co-design: dongxiying studio, CCDI

principals: he zhe, james shen, zang feng

project team: wang he, gao pengfei, li zhenghua, xu jiaqi

completion: december 2020

photographer: zhang chao, people’s architecture office (PAO)

The post PAO activates barren shenzhen site with flexible and vibrant ‘qianhai floating city’ appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.