ATD

SIS Net Valley Campus， Shenzhen

The Shekou International School (SIS) Net Valley Campus, renovated from an office block, forms a striking urban landmark alongside the surrounding mountains and transparent architecture. Located adjacent to Danan Mountain, the campus covers approximately 13,000 square meters, providing a brand-new and spacious learning environment for around 400 middle and high school students.

 

SIS was the first school introduced by China Merchants Shekou to address the educational needs of children of expatriates, while also meeting the demands for diverse international education. SIS adopts the globally top-ranked IB system. As the earliest international campus for expatriates in Southern China, it has a history spanning 35 years.

Design DNA

Mr. Greg Smith (Head of School at SIS) explained, "SIS's success lies in the trust-based relationship between teachers and students." Before undertaking this project, ATD visited the old SIS campus to search for the DNA that establishes this very relationship.

 

The new campus building was originally an industrial office tower with a typical central core layout. Classrooms needed perimeter placement for daylighting, which would have left the corridors dark and uninviting. Constrained by the limited light in the central zone, ATD's solution was to place small "Bubble" discussion rooms along the central core. This strategy breaks the monotony of straight corridors; the walls along the core are no longer solid but become animated by these lively rooms. All classrooms feature floor-to-ceiling glass, flooding the corridors with light. Lounge areas placed nearby further enrich the spatial experience.

 

Moving through the new campus reveals varying proportions and scales; every corner offers change, sparking a desire to explore. Curvilinear lines, reminiscent of the natural flow of water, are found throughout, intended to convey exploration beyond predetermined boundaries and fields.

Functional Layout

The backdrop wall in the first-floor lobby reception area features a 4-meter-high gradient red glass. Its light, layered quality creates a sense of openness and breathability, like water gently merging, symbolizing the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures in international education. Opposite sits the spiral staircase connecting to the second floor, custom-made and assembled on-site, with treads crafted from solid, thick oak. Unusually, the spiral form widens at the top and narrows at the bottom, visually resembling a storm vortex, custom-fabricated by a shipyard. ATD hopes this challenging structure will ignite students' creative desire and inspire deep thought and imagination.

 

 

Retractable seating was installed in the main auditorium to enhance spatial efficiency. This multi-functional flexibility extends to the foldable partition between the auditorium and the corridor. The control room lacks the traditional glass window separating it from the audience, facilitating better interaction during performances. The control room will also be operated by students, allowing them to develop stage management skills.

A special feature between the third and fourth floors serves both as a staircase connecting the levels and as a generous stepped area suitable for roadshows. Sitting on these steps and looking out the window offers a wonderfully pleasant experience. On the other side, the 400㎡ library features a curved glass wall structure on its outer edge. Inside, mirrored columns are creatively paired with eclectic black bookshelves and sculptural, flowing sofas. The judicious use of vibrant colors makes the entire space lively yet orderly, imbued with an artistic atmosphere.

 

On the fifth floor, the Maker Space's corridor is positioned along the exterior windows, granting the hallway panoramic views while making activities within the Maker Space more visible, thus integrating it into the campus community. The red rubber flooring creates a synesthetic transfer from visual to tactile, suggesting that technology can also possess warmth. The glass corridor walls allow ample natural light; especially at sunset, one can feel the presence of the city's natural scenery, offering a sense of comforting attention. An adjacent exhibition space provides an immersive, soothing experience.

 

 

The top-floor coffee lounge is a large open space. The designers introduced variations by integrating air conditioning and fresh air ducts into the design of V-shaped beams. Slender, recessed spotlights are embedded beneath them, creating a subtle yet rhythmic ceiling structure that also aids acoustics. The seating is all foldable, allowing the café to be quickly reconfigured for exhibitions or events.

 

The Shekou International School Net Valley Campus is agile, open, and transparent, offering students a diverse range of distinctive, first-class facilities. This student-centered environment fosters greater independence, enabling students to leverage their intrinsic motivation within its diverse and flexible spaces. It sets a new benchmark for international education in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Building Area: 12,800 square meters
Completion Date: 2021
Main Material Suppliers
Rubber Flooring: Nora
Ceiling: Armstrong
Glass Partitions: Hemans Shield
Lighting: IG Lighting

 

 

 

Beyond traditional space:

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