TAO Creates a Colorful and Experimental School in Hainan

Earlier this year, TAO completed its project for Haikou Jiangdong Huandao Experimental School in China’s Hainan province. The Beijing-based architectural firm was tasked with designing the entire school campus, which includes a high school, kindergarten, and student dorms spanning 65,700m² of floor space. This is also TAO’s second project in the city of Haikou for an educational facility. For this, the firm has taken a creative approach where they explore the interplaying connection between education and architecture.

Located in the east coast area of Haikou, the campus is regarded by the TAO as a “miniature garden city.” Surrounded by the countryside with ample greenery, river, wetland, and ocean, the building is harmoniously integrated with its environments via its organic form and free-flowing curves. A vibrant color scheme was also incorporated across the site, imbuing the traditional and dreary impression of school with a splash of playfulness.

In terms of layout, a radial structural plan was devised to link up the various facilities for the high school campus, which significantly shortens the distance for students when traveling across different classrooms. On top of that, a large “floating” roof is stretched across the separate school blocks to provide ample shading in the outdoor spaces. For the indoors, the campus’ interiors are also illuminated via diffused natural light from the building’s skylights.

As for the kindergarten, the building employs an infinity-loop-like form with ramps connecting various floor levels. In a sense, the roof is an extension of the ground, which is intended to broaden the space for children to play, explore, and roam free in.

Take a look around the Haikou Huandao High School in the gallery above. For more architectural news, check out this rural Scottish home featuring a sculptural wooden staircase.