Yuanbo Building

Zhuhai is a beautiful city in southern China’s ‘Greater Bay Area’. Surrounded by green mountains and central lake, Yuanbo Building is a landmark exactly in the center of campus. Its rundown appearance detracted from the beautiful campus landscape. As the teaching building of School of Design, the old building has to make changes to meet with the new education needs. Now the building has been transformed into the most popular and dynamic space on the campus. Different activities such as exhibitions, performances, and even fashion shows were set in motion by the renovated spaces.

The characteristics of the original building were kept and fit into this new hub for innovation and communication. Our research and practice aimed at finding a balance between meeting new needs and saving costs. The renovation was to include the façade, roof, and indoor space. The lighting system and landscape design were also to be included. Sustainable design based on analysis of local climate was required.

In the era of virtual reality and digital media, the project attempts to bring design education back to humanity and nature, rebuilding the connections between human and nature, one person and another person. The continuous roof loop offers spaces for feeling nature and exchanging ideas. The atrium with big stairs is the exhibition and show space for students. The two courtyards were transformed into a square one and a round one. A resting stage under an original tree, an outdoor exhibition space, and a round outdoor stage were created. The square courtyard can be used as temporary outdoor exhibition space. The round courtyard offers a stage with lights where students can hold small concerts. Two courtyards and the main entrance are connected by an art path. These measures help the building fit into nature and the campus.