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Qingshan School: A Rural Learning Village Rooted in Land, Craft, and Community

Selected in Architectural design

Qingshan School is located at the entrance of Qingshan Village in Hangzhou, beside the village stream and rice fields. Rebuilt on the site of an abandoned village primary school, it is arranged in response to the surrounding paths, landscape, and daily life of the village. It is used by children, villagers, educators, parents, and visitors for learning and gathering. The school includes six standard classrooms, three special classrooms for music, art, and science, and a cafeteria. These rooms are organized as connected units, linked by bamboo-woven corridors, courtyards, platforms, and semi-outdoor spaces. Each classroom can be used independently, while the spaces between them provide places for discussion, reading, activities, and observation. Teaching can take place inside classrooms, corridors, and courtyards. Local material and craft are used throughout. The entrance gate reinterprets the oil-paper umbrella, a Yuhang craft tradition, through bamboo weaving and parametric design, and serves as a sheltered waiting place. Earthen walls were made with village soil and traditional plastering; bamboo-woven elements involved local artisans and young volunteers. The school is not yet part of the formal state school system. It supports rural study programs, camps, workshops, and community activities. Through these uses, the building remains open and flexible, allowing learning to move between classrooms, courtyards, craft activities, landscape, and village life.

Participant category: Individual professional

Country: China

Location: Hangzhou, China

Client: Qingshan Village

Team: Jian Ming Huang, Jiao Zhang, Haroon Ditta, Meng Fanqi, He Yiling, Hong Jiangming, Sun Xingxian

Edition: 2026

Project status: Realised

Photo credits: Su Shengliang
Photo credits: Su Shengliang
Photo credits: Su Shengliang
Photo credits: Su Shengliang
Photo credits: Su Shengliang
Photo credits: Su Shengliang