BIBA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RENOVATION
JINGDEZHEN RESEARCH AND
LEARNING CENTER
The Jingdezhen Study Center positions itself at the intersection of tradition, contemporary learning, and global cultural exchange. Rooted in the concept of the “Cultural Grand Cycle,” the project recognizes Jingdezhen’s unique legacy as a global center of ceramic production and scholarship, where Eastern motifs have historically traveled, transformed, and returned enriched through cross-cultural exchange. The Center is conceived as a contemporary platform to continue this cultural circulation, connecting local heritage to global networks of education and creativity.
LOCATION Jingdezhen, China
AREA 23691 m²
STATUS Proposal
CLIENT Anonymous
YEAR 2023
PROGRAMS Educational, Architecture Design
Designed for the Z Generation—digital natives shaped by technology, global perspectives, and rapidly changing social conditions—the Center fosters engagement with both historical traditions and contemporary modes of expression. The space celebrates the coexistence of continuity and innovation: tradition provides context, while youthful energy, curiosity, and creativity are given room to emerge. It embodies four guiding ideas: being part of the “Cultural Grand Cycle,” serving as a home for digital natives, revealing the Z Generation within tradition, and enabling youthful vitality to emerge from ancient forms.
Architecturally, the Center adopts a continuous ring form that unites learning, living, and social spaces. Dormitories, classrooms, and communal areas are arranged along this ring to promote seamless interaction and movement. A central courtyard provides a safe, open environment for recreation, gatherings, and ecological learning. All dormitory rooms face the surrounding hills, offering expansive views, while the theater, gymnasium, dining hall, and classrooms open toward the courtyard to strengthen indoor–outdoor connectivity. The circular layout symbolizes continuity and cultural resonance, while carefully offset volumes and material gestures express openness, creativity, and the freedom characteristic of the Z Generation.
By integrating heritage, ecological awareness, and contemporary pedagogy, the Jingdezhen Study Center transcends conventional educational spaces. It operates as a dynamic environment where culture, history, and youthful innovation converge, creating a living laboratory for learning, exploration, and the ongoing evolution of the Cultural Grand Cycle.
CHIEF DESIGNER
Xiaoyi Ma
DESIGN TEAM
Pengfei Chen, Jing Zhu, Jing Wang