BIBA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RENOVATION
NATURE SCHOOL OF YANTAI
In the post-pandemic era, we place greater emphasis on the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature. The Nature School, situated in the heart of the coastal park, vividly embodies this concept—it's not only a paradise for children to explore nature but also a place for urban dwellers to reconnect with it.
Located at the intersection of the city axis and the coastal park, adjacent to the future government office complex and business district to the south, the Nature School occupies a central position within the park. This unique location makes it a bridge connecting the city and nature. The architecture blends into the environment with a humble and open approach, paying particular attention to the harmony between the fifth facade and the surrounding landscape, echoing the surrounding environment and showing respect for the natural ecosystem.
LOCATION Yantai, China
AREA 6000 m²
STATUS Proposal
CLIENT Yantai EDZ Planning Bureau
YEAR 2021
PROGRAMS Educational, Architecture Design
Here, nature education breaks away from the framework of traditional teaching, emphasizing knowledge acquisition through hands-on experience. Children can observe marine life in the intertidal zone, perceive seasonal changes in the forest, and cultivate environmental adaptability, environmental awareness, and aesthetic perception in real natural settings; they can also enhance social skills, language communication abilities, and self-confidence through peer collaboration. This learning approach based on direct experience will have a significant and positive impact on children's learning and growth.
As a flexible landmark within the coastal park, this space serves as both an ecological education venue and a public space for citizens. The exhibition area, themed around marine and forest habitats, utilizes VR technology and immersive displays, combined with nature knowledge sharing sessions, lectures, plays, and film screenings, to reveal the mysteries of natural ecology to citizens of all ages. The open-plan laboratory serves both research institutions and the public, allowing families to participate in specimen preparation and transform collected natural materials into artistic creations. As a base for youth development education, it also hosts various study tours, pioneering a new model of "offshore school."
The Nature School building itself is a large-scale natural art installation. By creating a marine art festival, it achieves a deep integration of nature and art, enhancing the coastal park's influence and increasing the space's efficiency and diversity. Simultaneously, as a park service center, it also provides distinctive dining and rest facilities, becoming a public living room for citizens.
The Nature School adheres to the design concept of "coexisting with nature." Here, architecture is not a declaration of conquering nature, but a vivid practice of harmonious coexistence with the ecosystem. When the sea breeze blows, what we see is not just a building, but a way of life—living in harmony with nature, where plants, animals and humans depend on each other and weave together a network of life.
CHIEF DESIGNER
Xiaoyi Ma
DESIGN TEAM
Yuanqian Xia, Xuan Zhang, Xiaoang Li