Dushan School Complex / West-line studio

Dushan School Complex / West-line studio - Windows, FacadeDushan School Complex / West-line studio - WindowsDushan School Complex / West-line studio - Windows, FacadeDushan School Complex / West-line studio - Facade, WindowsDushan School Complex / West-line studio - More Images+ 22

Qiannan, China
  • Architects: West-line studio
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  56491
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2016
  • Design Team: Yuanping Li, Xiaoqiang Yang, Dingping Fu, Hongbo Shi, Minghua Ou, Zhipeng Zhu, Hongsen Kang
  • Graphic Design: Martina Muratori
  • Architects In Charge: Haobo Wei, Jingsong Xie
  • City: Qiannan
  • Country: China
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Dushan School Complex / West-line studio - Facade, Windows
Courtesy of Martina Muratori
Dushan School Complex / West-line studio - Image 19 of 27
Master plan

Text description provided by the architects. Dushan Town is located at the so called "South Gate of Guizhou" at the border with Guangxi province. The main residents in this area belong to Buyi, Miao and Shui ethnic minorities.  The complex of buildings grows on the top of a long foundation stripe, 527m long and 330m wide. The north area is pretty mountainous and mainly residential, on the west there is the highway and both east and south are arterial roads. 

Dushan School Complex / West-line studio - Facade
Courtesy of Martina Muratori

Architects based the design of this school complex in order to create a series of courtyards with different levels of privacy, where "listen to the sound of wind and to the sound of reading" according to an old traditional Chinese proverb. The simple severe ‘academic’ architectural style always meets these open courtyards, some more wide and open, where to practice group sports, others more quiet where to study or relax, in the dormitory area. These courtyards play with the light creating different environments and iconic shadows. Open terraces and boardwalks over the courtyards create interesting connections and different spaces for students’ different needs.

Dushan School Complex / West-line studio - Windows, Facade
Courtesy of Martina Muratori
Dushan School Complex / West-line studio - Image 24 of 27
Section

Materials are clear and simple, only cement mortar and white painting on outer walls, where shadows get strong and sharp. Considering local construction workers lack of skills and a very limited selection of local materials, architects opted for a material selection which could ensure good quality and easy to control results.  

Dushan School Complex / West-line studio - Windows, Facade
Courtesy of Martina Muratori

Four different courtyards: 

A. program: classroom + sports facilities and playground 

layout: four different sizes of courtyards (where outer walls create a strong visual and acoustic barrier against the highway)

B. program: administration offices + library 

layout: high and effective office area + quiet reading space

C. program: dormitory + restaurant

layout: different functions are arranged on different levels. The dining area is located in the lower floors, connected to multiple courtyards, while dormitory are in the upper floors

D. program: dormitory 

layout: quiet and elegant living environment

Dushan School Complex / West-line studio - Image 25 of 27
Elevation + section

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Project location

Address:Dushan, Qiannan, Guizhou, China

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Dushan School Complex / West-line studio" 20 Jan 2017. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/803368/dushan-school-complex-west-line-studio> ISSN 0719-8884

Courtesy of Martina Muratori

独山一中 / 西线工作室

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