Chu Kochen College Dormitory

Chu Kochen College Dormitory

Chu Kochen College Dormitory is a transformative interior design project that exemplifies innovative approaches to educational space renovation, demonstrating excellence in functional optimization and aesthetic refinement. Originally designed exclusively for bedrooms accommodating approximately 1,600 students, this comprehensive renovation project, completed in 2020, transformed the existing structure into a multifunctional living and learning environment through thoughtful spatial reorganization and material selection. The project, which spans 2,800 square meters, introduces a diverse range of spaces including lobbies, classrooms, self-study areas, offices, exhibition spaces, recreational rooms, public kitchens, and guest suites. The design philosophy embraces minimalism and functionality, utilizing a carefully curated palette of natural stone, wood, white metal board, and plaster as primary materials, complemented by white tiles, anthracite fixtures, and stainless steel elements. The lighting scheme combines linear lights, spots, and indirect illumination to create a bright, modern atmosphere, while custom-made furniture in wood, anthracite, and white enhances the spaces' functional elegance. Notable architectural interventions include the replacement of closed partition walls with glass walls to improve natural light penetration, and the strategic incorporation of existing structural columns into the design. The project, which earned a Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design category, serves as a prototype for future dormitory renovations, successfully balancing space efficiency, usability, and institutional requirements while creating an environment conducive to academic excellence and student well-being.

student housing, educational architecture, interior renovation, minimalist design, sustainable architecture, functional spaces

— Adam Dawson