“Vertical school” is quite the phrase isn’t it? That is exactly what Shenzhen Hongshan Middle School is. We are standing in Longhua District in Shenzhen. This area faces urban renewal. Notice the high-density urban villages to the west and south. Their tone is overall gray and old. Shenzhen Hongshan Middle School stands out.
The school’s main color is white. It brings a bright, clean atmosphere. Shenzhen Hongshan Middle School looks to the future. Its design emphasizes connectivity, sociality, and regionality. These elements create a vibrant space for exploration. Students grow in an exploratory and uninhibited environment here at Shenzhen Hongshan Middle School.
The architects at CAPOL considered what a future school should be. More than just efficient teaching facilities they wanted to create a space to inspire. The Shenzhen Longhua District Education Bureau commissioned the school. CAPOL completed the project in just one and a half years. That included design and delivery.
Let us observe the elevated playground. It sits 10 meters above Xinqu Avenue. This road is a main thoroughfare in Shenzhen. Below the playground lies the student canteen. Sports areas like basketball and badminton courts are also on the second floor. This design shields noise and optimizes space. It creates a comfortable urban environment for Shenzhen Hongshan Middle School.
To improve land use efficiency, the buildings are divided. The upper part holds teaching spaces. The lower part contains large auxiliary rooms. A central courtyard connects the scattered buildings. This layout encourages communication and learning. The roof platform serves as a second ground for sports. It connects functionally with the sports complex to the north of Shenzhen Hongshan Middle School. Balconies on the teaching building and dormitory offer viewing spaces.
Shenzhen Hongshan Middle School uses verandahs to efficiently combine teaching modules. Corridors on the fourth and fifth floors form three enclosed courtyards. These courtyards divide inner and outer spaces. However the east-west direction provides an open structure.
The design promotes free access between spaces. Students can travel between classes within 10 minutes. Exhibition and activity spaces fill the first floor. Large steps lead to the second floor creating a flexible gathering space. The sports field is on the third floor. A slanted corridor connects four teaching buildings on three floors. Circular spaces on the fourth and fifth floors enhance connections between classrooms.
Sociability is key to Shenzhen Hongshan Middle School’s design. Public spaces and shared halls encourage interaction. Small public spaces are enlarged corridor ends. Medium public spaces include connecting corridors and shared halls. Large public space is the sports field.
The Steam Center on the second floor incorporates Hongshan Culture into its design. It uses luminous strips for interior lighting. Air outlets are concealed uniformly.
The school’s facade considers Shenzhen’s hot and rainy climate. Double corridors provide natural shading for the classrooms. A large grille on the teaching area’s facade controls sunlight. Colored glazing glass on the shared hall’s awning roof resists sunlight. Convex aluminum panels on dormitory balconies shade sunlight.
The shared hall’s ceiling is not closed. It features diagonally arranged units with gaps for ventilation and smoke exhaust. This design mimics the draught effect of traditional Lingnan patios. With its innovative design, Shenzhen Hongshan Middle School really is a vertical school ready for the future.