Wanjin Primary School

Wanjin Primary School

Wanjin Primary School is an innovative educational architecture project located in Saihan District, Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia, that exemplifies progressive design solutions for modern educational facilities in high-density urban environments. The project, completed in May 2022, encompasses a total floor area of 41,000 square meters on an L-shaped site, accommodating 48 classes while maximizing available space through ingenious architectural solutions. The design's most distinctive feature is its elevated ground floor concept, which optimizes shared functions and outdoor activity spaces, incorporating two circular runways: a 200-meter standard track on the semi-underground gymnasium roof alongside a football field, and a 300-meter track integrated into the main teaching building's roof through clever equipment room and evacuation staircase design. The architecture addresses contemporary educational needs by creating diverse learning environments, including unique spaces such as the Book Mountain Steps, Fairy Tale Cabin, Blue Planet, and Time Hemisphere, utilizing various structural forms including large-span hollow floors, steel structure hemispheres, and suspension cables. The project demonstrates exceptional space utilization through its multi-level design approach, with ordinary classrooms positioned above the second floor, connected to outdoor retreat platforms via elevation-varied corridors. The design successfully tackles urban challenges by incorporating dual traffic flow systems, time-shared underground parking facilities, and creates a compound campus space that promotes interdisciplinary learning and social interaction. This architectural achievement, recognized with a Gold A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design category, represents a significant advancement in educational facility design, particularly in addressing the challenges of urbanization and the evolving needs of modern education.

educational architecture, sustainable design, urban integration, innovative learning spaces, circular runway integration, multi-functional campus

— Adam Dawson