Campus activity sponge

Renovation and expansion of sports and arts centre at Hongling High School

published in sb magazine 5/2024 

In order to meet the demands of the significant increase in the number of students, the school decided to build a new sports and art activity space with a total area of 22,000 m² on the site of the original 6,000 m² old gymnasium – a crucial opportunity for the school's rebirth. The design by O-Office Architects attempts to re-establish the connection between the campus and its natural environment by incorporating new natural structures and symbiotic spatial logic, creating new campus spaces and a sense of place. Therefore, the design goal was to utilize the central area of the existing campus to create a comprehensive venue that provides broader spaces for cultural and sports activities, while rebuilding internal connections, communication, and sharing within the campus.
 

The new sports and arts centre totalling 8,000 m² features two large comprehensive sports spaces of approximately 4,000 m² each. These spaces accommodate a variety of sports, including basketball, badminton, table tennis, gymnastics, and swimming. More importantly, the passage through the ground floor of the sports and arts centre connects various parts of the campus, naturally fostering diverse interactions and exchanges during daily commutes and various sports activities.

The "inclined" roof of the building hosts art classrooms (for instruments, vocals, and dance) and eight outdoor sports courts, interweaving between the dormitory and teaching areas.