Beijing National Day School Student Creative Activity Center / Origin Architect

"Beijing National Day School is renowned for its student-led, open and free campus culture. Every year, students initiate ten campus improvement proposals, which receive full support from the school authorities."

"Originally built as an underground concrete fish pond, the building had undergone numerous extension and partition, resulting in a chaotic and disorganized function: the underground bookstore and print shop were dim, damp and poorly ventilated; the ground-floor uniform storage and exhibition area was cramped and enclosed, standing in stark contrast to the natural beauty of the surrounding pine woods."

"Seizing this renovation opportunity, Origin Architect seeks to revitalize the building under pines and sunshine, metamorphosing it into a free realm that stirs students' sensibility and creative thinking."

Beijing National Day School promotes a student-led, open campus culture with annual proposals for campus improvements. The former School Uniform Center was selected for renovation after student concerns about space experience and frequent use. The building originally served as an underground concrete fish pond and later received multiple extensions and partitions, creating disorganized functions. The underground bookstore and print shop were dim, damp, and poorly ventilated. The ground-floor uniform storage and exhibition area was cramped and enclosed, contrasting with the surrounding pine woods. The renovation by Origin Architect aims to revitalize the building under pines and sunshine, transforming it into a free realm that supports students’ sensibility and creative thinking.

Read at ArchDaily