The Qingpu Pinghe International School in Shanghai has a village-like decentralized design that consists of a collection of varied buildings. The design, developed by Chinese studio Open Architecture, diverts from the traditional megastructure theme embedded in much of Chinese architecture in favor of a dispersed mix of structures.
Each building in the Qingpu Pinghe International School has a distinctive identity that works with the purpose of the space. The arts center is based around an angular concept that is reminiscent of a modern art gallery. The theater and library are set in a blue sloping building that has a unique whale shape. The school's classrooms are contained within five-storey cubic structures that have rounded corners and a bamboo and glass exterior. Together, the buildings offer the school everything needed to provide a well-rounded learning experience in a varied architectural layout.
Image Credit: Dezeen
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Decentralized School Designs
- Schools can adopt decentralized designs consisting of a collection of varied buildings with distinctive identities to offer students a well-rounded learning experience.
- Dispersed Mix of Structures in Architecture
- Architects can explore decentralized designs that divert from traditional megastructure themes to create a dispersed mix of structures with distinctive identities.
- Individualized Building Design
- Designers can emphasize individualized building design to provide purpose-specific spaces with unique identities for each building within a larger complex.
Where This Applies
- Education
- The education industry can adopt decentralized design school structures to create more well-rounded learning experiences for students.
- Architecture
- The architecture industry can explore dispersed mix of structures to create unique buildings with individualized identities.
- Design
- The design industry can emphasize individualized building design to create purpose-specific spaces with unique identities within larger complexes.
