Guangdong Experimental Shunde Secondary School is conceived as a dynamic educational campus that supports academic excellence, social interaction, and environmental responsiveness. Designed to accommodate 2,000 students aged 13 to 16, the masterplan integrates academic, residential, and recreational facilities into a cohesive, climate-sensitive environment. The architecture draws from the idea of a village—where open courtyards, shaded walkways, and communal squares foster interaction and belonging. Central to the scheme is the assembly area and running track, around which various building programs are arranged for accessibility and synergy. With vertical voids for ventilation, shaded verandas, and porous ground floors, the campus prioritizes passive cooling, daylighting, and movement, creating a healthy and holistic learning environment.
Location
Guangdong, China
Completion
2009
GFA
91,082 sqm
Client
Guangdong Dongyiwan Property Dev. Co. Ltd
Services
Architecture
A Climate-Responsive Learning Environment
The architectural language of Guangdong Experimental Shunde Secondary School—an institution designed to foster both academic growth and environmental sensitivity. The building’s minimalist geometry is softened by vertical fins and deep-set openings that encourage natural ventilation and provide thermal protection. Modular classroom blocks are connected by open corridors, allowing visual porosity and easy navigation while optimizing daylight access. The palette of light concrete and perforated metal meshes reflects the school’s functional clarity and passive design strategies, reinforcing a sustainable framework for everyday student life. The architectural composition fosters a sense of rhythm and repetition, creating a calm and structured learning environment. Its interplay of solid and void, light and shadow, encourages mindfulness and reinforces the school’s vision of nurturing disciplined, forward-thinking individuals.
A School of Clarity and Connectivity
The masterplan of Guangdong Experimental Shunde Secondary School is rooted in order, accessibility, and human scale. Defined by a rational grid, the campus organizes a diverse program—classrooms, dormitories, library, gymnasium, and sports fields—into a clearly navigable and legible layout. Circulation routes are interspersed with pockets of green space and shaded courtyards, fostering moments of respite within a rigorous academic environment. The architectural language is clean and modular, responding to the tropical climate with generous eaves, sheltered corridors, and cross-ventilated interiors. A palette of white concrete and neutral tones amplifies daylight and conveys calm, aligning the built form with the school’s mission to shape disciplined, curious learners.
The architecture of Guangdong Experimental Shunde Secondary School reflects an educational philosophy grounded in structure, transparency, and care for the learner’s environment. Its spatial clarity and passive design strategies promote not only energy efficiency but also the mental well-being of students and staff. By integrating function with form, the campus stands as a purposeful and enduring framework for academic growth, fostering a sense of community while inspiring future generations.
Top: Top
Bottom: Bottom
Right: Right
