“What an unusual building” someone just exclaimed. Right here at \u660e\u5fb7\u56ed6\u53f7, we find ourselves amidst what was once part of the Honghua Dyeing Mill. It transformed into the Shenzhen Mingde Academy. The conversion from industrial site to educational institution is quite a tale.
Now, \u660e\u5fb7\u56ed6\u53f7 isn’t just any school. It’s an experimental one, challenging the norms of the current education system. Imagine students learning within the bones of a former dyeing mill. That very mill stood as an early testament to Shenzhen’s industrialization.
Covering eight hectares, this location was once hidden in a valley on Shenzhen’s east coast. The factory buildings possess a unique aesthetic, refined over time by industrial processes. Natural light and ventilation were key features, blurring the lines between architecture and nature.
The vision of a campus where teenagers could learn and live was both inspiring and daunting. The challenge lay in the scattered buildings of varying heights and structures. These were remnants of the factory. They stretched over 500 meters along the valley and were not initially suited for a campus environment.
The architects didn’t focus on individual buildings at first. Instead, they emphasized the relationship between the structures and the surrounding landscape. Ramps, corridors, walkways, squares, and gardens were added. These elements created a continuous spatial experience.
The path led from the living quarters in the north to the raw-cloth warehouse in the south. This warehouse is now a highlighted natural space within \u660e\u5fb7\u56ed6\u53f7.
Students emerge from their dorms via a ‘forest promenade’. They walk past an outdoor theater behind the library. This library once served as the power room. They then traverse a trail in the teaching and sports area. After passing the science building and crossing an L-shaped truss bridge, they arrive at the teaching building. This building was once the raw-cloth warehouse.
The outdoor space offers multiple routes and spontaneous connections between buildings. Such unconventional spaces are intended to inspire reflection and shape the students’ minds.
The construction, materials, and design respond to the geography and existing structures. Each building has unique qualities that enrich the site’s history. These elements integrate the past with the present campus life here at \u660e\u5fb7\u56ed6\u53f7.