Nina Maritz Architects sustainable architecture and design
A DREAM CLASSROOM
LOCATION:
Hepan Primary School, Baying Prefecture, Gansu Province, China
PROJECT STATUS:
Unbuilt
CLIENT:
University of Nottingham-Ningbo
A-Dream, Shanghai
Multi-purpose education enhancement classroom with mezzanine accommodation for visiting volunteer trainers in remote village on Chinese loess plateau. Complex technical requirements of extreme temperatures (-20°C winter lows to almost 40°C summer highs), earthquake –prone location and severe water deficit resolved through steel frame structure on concrete stub-columns and ground beams, adobe interior walls for thermal mass and ultra-thick insulation behind steel cladding; large south-facing triple-glazed wall for winter solar gain, and dry sanitation.
Solar roof at acute angle creates necessary mezzanine space for accommodation & air-handling equipment, with lobby wind shelter against cold south-west winds forming red paper plane symbol of client A-Dream. Landscaping interventions include spiral ramp & tyre-built amphitheatre seating for outdoor activities.