BIBA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RENOVATION
COLUMBIA GLOBAL CENTERS BEIJING
The project centers on the concept of “The Temperature of Neo-Classicism,” reinterpreting Columbia University’s academic spirit and cultural identity within a contemporary spatial framework. Drawing inspiration from the classical colonnades of the Low Memorial Library, the design reconstructs their architectural order through modern proportions and material logic, achieving a balance between historical gravitas and contemporary approachability.
LOCATION Beijing, China
AREA 355 m²
STATUS Completed
CLIENT Mammoth (Beijing) Education Consulting Co., Ltd.
YEAR 2025
PROGRAMS Office, Interior Design
The spatial language is founded on a reinterpretation of neoclassical order. The traditional column-and-beam relationship—an essential feature of classical architecture—is abstracted into a rhythmic structural element that organizes the space. The columns are expressed in simplified geometric forms, stripped of decorative detail, relying instead on proportion and scale to generate a sense of compositional stability and spatial hierarchy. This restrained formal expression ensures that the space maintains both symbolic depth and programmatic flexibility.
The color palette combines deep blue and light natural wood, creating visual balance and psychological comfort. Deep blue—Columbia University’s signature hue—embodies reason, scholarship, and continuity. It is applied to wall finishes, fabrics, and metal accents, reinforcing institutional identity and cultural coherence. In contrast, the introduction of natural wood tones softens the overall environment, infusing the academic space with warmth and human touch. The juxtaposition of wooden surfaces against blue fabrics creates a layered visual dialogue that reflects both the modern, globally oriented character of the Columbia Global Center and the refined legacy of the university’s main campus.
The branding strategy is integrated seamlessly into the architectural composition. The entry feature wall employs a co-branded identity system, combining the Global Center’s visual language with Columbia’s signature color proportions to ensure consistency and recognizability across locations.
Programmatically, the space accommodates a 150-seat forum, which can be flexibly divided into two configurations of 80 and 60 seats through operable partitions. It also includes two distinct office zones for partner institutions, each with independent workstations and shared meeting rooms, as well as a reception area designed to support media interviews and live broadcasting.
Ultimately, the design seeks to establish a spatial equilibrium between discipline and warmth, tradition and modernity. Rather than pursuing stylistic revivalism, it redefines neoclassical order through proportion, rhythm, and color logic. The result is a space that embodies intellectual rigor while remaining perceptibly human—a contemporary reflection of Columbia’s enduring academic ethos.
CHIEF DESIGNER
Xiaoyi Ma
DESIGN TEAM
Jing Zhu, Jiajia Wang, Yun Hong