Shanghai Zhonghua College: an educational architecture immersed in the agricultural landscape
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Education
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Future
The concept originated from a critique of conventional campus planning and a desire to reimagine vocational education. Drawing inspiration from the spatial logic of small towns and historic university models like Cambridge, the design integrates living and learning in a compact network of streets and courtyards. Influenced by site-specific qualities of Chongming Island—its open farmland and canal system—the plan centers on walkability, social interaction, and place-making. The campus is not a zoned grid but a vibrant community, where spatial variety supports diverse activities and a more immersive, town-like student experience.
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Located at the edge of Chongming Island, the project responds to its flat, water-rich landscape by embracing openness and porosity. The design frames views toward the adjacent river and integrates pedestrian paths with existing agricultural patterns. Rather than imposing an urban grid, the campus acts as a mediator between nature and city—its courtyards and public spaces create micro-environments, while soft edges along the river invite both students and the wider community. The campus thus becomes both an educational space and a civic landscape.
The project incorporates sustainability through passive design strategies. Climate-responsive planning optimizes building orientation for solar gain and ventilation. Cross-ventilation and permeable ground floors enhance natural ventilation, reducing mechanical cooling. Daylighting is maximized with deep-set windows and skylights, reducing artificial lighting needs. Solar shading devices and vegetated buffers control thermal loads. High-performance walls and roofs stabilize indoor temperatures, while photovoltaic panels ensure energy self-sufficiency. Rain gardens and shaded courtyards mitigate heat island effects. These strategies improve energy efficiency and user experience, with the design aligning with global eco-friendly architecture standards.
The design of Shanghai Zhonghua College draws inspiration from the spatial prototype of a small town, moving away from conventional grid layouts. Located on Chongming Island, the college fosters a diverse sense of place through its campus planning. The framework consists of walkable streets and defined courtyards, creating an environment that mirrors the dynamic, interconnected experience of a small town. In this design, streets are open to all, promoting smooth transitions, while courtyards serve specific school communities. Unlike traditional campuses, teaching and residential buildings are integrated along the streets, allowing students to experience campus life in a town-like manner. The buildings are oriented to frame views toward the river, and pedestrian paths integrate with the agricultural patterns of the island. The planning strategy encourages social interaction, with pedestrian-friendly paths promoting casual encounters. The design also responds to the site-specific qualities of Chongming Island, emphasizing its agricultural landscape and canal system. Sustainability is central, with climate-responsive strategies optimizing solar gain and ventilation. Cross-ventilation, permeable ground floors, and deep-set windows reduce cooling needs, while solar shading and photovoltaic panels enhance energy efficiency.
Unlike most vocational schools in China, which often lack identity or spatial quality, we sought a campus that could truly reflect the dignity and potential of vocational education. The architects responded with a design that is open, humane, and full of character—helping reshape social perceptions and offering students a sense of pride and belonging in their learning environment. The design of Shanghai Zhonghua College not only attracts students but also creates a strong connection with the sur
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Aerial view of the campus spanning from east to west
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Aerial view of campus from south to north
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Aerial view of the campus spanning from west to east
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The wooded area and lawn aligned with the main entrance of the campus
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Riverside campus view
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The ground floor features transparent corners with columns removed to create clear sightlines and unobstructed views of the undulating courtyard
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Main Entrance of the Teaching Building
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Shared Entrance Area for the Teaching Building and Student Center
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Waterfront Open Space in the Campus
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Inner courtyard of the teaching building under construction
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Outdoor theater under construction
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Riverside campus under construction
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Campus under constructionl
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Skeches
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Location map
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Site context map
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Site context plan
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Site plan
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Ground floor plan
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Campus site section
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Section detail
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Circulation and spatial openness-privacy diagram
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Axonometric Diagram of Spatial Detail and Sustainability Analysis
Shainghai
China
Mountain Education Group
08/2025
200449 sq. m
Confidential
FAN Beilei, XUE Zhe, KONG Rui
XU Zhanglei, WANG Shiyu, YAO Wenxuan, REN Qingyu, SHEN Lyuyuan, QIU Shenglu, LUO Yutong, CAI Mingjie
Fiber Cement Board by New-Element; Terrazzo by Houxiang
SU Shengliang, genarchitects
Bio
genarchitects, founded in 2013 under the leadership of three principals, Fan Beilei, Kong Rui and Xue Zhe, engages in comprehensive urban and architectural design work.
Their projects are featured in Architectural Journal, T+A, World Architecture, as well as publications by Thames & Hudson Press and Birkhäuser. They've received The Plan Award, German Iconic Awards'"Best of Best", and accolades from AIA Shanghai and WAF Award. They've exhibited at Venice Architecture Biennale, Harvard GSD, and Sino-Europe Invitational and Contemporary Chinese Architecture exhibitions.
The principals also contribute to academia, serving as visiting lecturers at CAUP, Tongji University, and as guests and critics at Southeast University, Tianjin University, Central Academy of Fine Arts. They are sought-after speakers, delivering lectures at institutions including Harvard GSD, University of Queensland, Nanjing University, and University of Hong Kong Shanghai Study Center.
