Local architecture studio to design private school in eastern China

The Kubala Washatko Architects (TKWA) of Cedarburg was recently awarded its second major school project in China.

The announcement of TKWA’s selection to design the new Xiang Lake Academy in Hangzhou follows successful completion in 2015 of the TKWA-designed Zhongguancun No. 3 Elementary School in Beijing, a school widely recognized as a model for education reform in China.

Xiang Lake Academy Overview

Xiang Lake Academy will be located near Hangzhou, a city of approximately six million people and the capital of Zhejiang Province in eastern China. Hangzhou is the site of several important cultural and natural areas, including West Lake and the Grand Canal, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

“The new Xiang Lake Academy campus will include over one million square feet of construction, incorporating classroom, dining, and recreational spaces for 2400 elementary, middle, and high school students and 350 teachers,” said Allen Washatko, TKWA Co-Founder. “The 148-acre campus will also feature an adjacent residential community with housing for students, faculty, and families.”

Design for the school will begin in 2018 and require approximately one year before construction start. TKWA staff from both its Cedarburg, Wisconsin office and from its TKWA Pacific Studio office in Seattle will be engaged in the project.

Xiang Lake Academy Design

“Xiang Lake Academy takes inspiration from dragons of Chinese mythology,” added Washatko. “Historically, dragons have been a symbol of good fortune and strength. Dragons also been associated with powers over natural elements such as water.”

The long, narrow building shape is organically integrated into its site, providing a sense of connection to the river. The building shape itself was formed by the river; like the river, the school curls back forming a protected inner garden courtyard.

The extended linear design of the building supports a continuum of education – from the youngest to the oldest students. Classrooms and spaces for all students – regardless of age – are aligned along the same circulation system. The building begins with lower spaces for younger elementary students and progresses to the tallest spaces for older high school students. A library and viewing platform located at the head (and eye) of the building offers dramatic views of the river and hills beyond.

The narrow building shape also helps meet stringent Chinese building code that dictates all classrooms have abundant natural daylight and ventilation. Other key sustainable features include a green roof and wood timber construction.

Designing for 21st Century Education

In selecting TKWA for the new Xiang Lake Academy school representatives sought to create a new school environment that balances traditional teacher-directed, whole-group instruction with flexible, learner-centered work and study spaces. By incorporating project-based and collaborative learning approaches, Allen Washatko, TKWA Co-Founder, stated that the school is seeking to become “a model for education reform” in China.

To undertake its work in China TKWA has formed Bridge3, which is a separate business entity in collaboration with Guoli Liang, a prominent Chinese educational consultant and former University of Wisconsin-Whitewater professor.

The curriculum and the architecture for both schools is based on the concept of ‘Education 3.0’. Generally, ‘Education 1.0’ represents historically agrarian societies; ‘Education 2.0’ represents industrial societies, an approach still common throughout many parts of the world; ‘Education 3.0’ reflects an approach for ecologically-based societies in an increasingly changing and interconnected world.

Zhongguancun Elementary School No. 3, Beijing

Considered one of the top academic schools in China, Zhongguancun Elementary School currently operates two campuses enrolling more than 6000 students within the Zhongguancun area of Beijing’s Haidian District. To serve the District’s expanding population base, the Zhongguancun Elementary School No. 3 is the third and newest campus and is designed to accommodate over 2400 students.

The TKWA design features a semi-circular building wrapped around a central courtyard/athletic complex on a six-acre site. This unique building geometry creates multi-level indoor-outdoor classroom and learning spaces while helping to orient students and other occupants throughout the building. A central courtyard, used daily for ceremonial gathering and athletic activities, forms the cultural and emotional core of campus.

Approximately 40,000 square meters (430,000 square feet) in size, the building design includes four levels of above ground classroom, administrative, performance and related educational spaces, plus two underground levels reserved for parking and a multi-purpose gymnasium/athletic complex.

Bioclimatic design strategies specific to the Beijing region promote energy and water efficiency, improve indoor air quality, provide abundant natural daylight, and create spaces for growing food and plants.

Design Partner

TKWA has partnered with China Architecture, Design & Research Group (CADRG) for both school projects. Among the largest architecture, engineering and construction firms in China, CADRG project credits include the “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the China National Theater in Beijing, as well as numerous other large educational, cultural, historic, governmental and commercial buildings throughout China.