School Renovation: Transforming Education Spaces

Revitalizing an Educational Landmark

The renovation of Shenzhen Longgang District Longling School, designed by Yijing Architectural Design, represents a groundbreaking transformation of a historic institution into a modern, future-ready educational hub. Originally established in 1988 as Longling Primary School, this nine-year compulsory education school underwent a massive renovation and expansion project in 2021, tripling its campus size from 18,173.71 sqm to 68,237.47 sqm.

Located in Buji Subdistrict, Longgang District, the school serves a densely populated urban village with limited educational resources. The redesign not only addresses space constraints but also reimagines 21st-century learning environments—blending preservation, innovation, and community integration.

Project Overview: Balancing Preservation & Expansion

1. Strategic Retrofitting for Continuous Operation

Due to Shenzhen’s acute shortage of schools, the renovation carefully preserved three key structures:

The 7-story Sino-English Experimental Building
The 5-story primary school classroom building (adjacent to the playground)
The cafeteria-dormitory complex

This ensured uninterrupted education while allowing phased construction.

2. Maximizing Space in a High-Density Urban Village

The project overcame tight spatial constraints in Buji Urban Village by:

Demolishing six outdated buildings (while retaining three)
Introducing a new 12-story main teaching building with a courtyard layout
Connecting old and new structures via elevated covered corridors for all-weather accessibility

Innovative Design: A Campus That Inspires Learning

1. The “Knowledge Hill” Concept – Beyond Traditional Classrooms

Modern pedagogy shifts from passive learning to active exploration. Yijing Architectural Design responded with:

“Path to Wisdom” – A symbolic climbing route encouraging discovery
Interactive atriums & 5-meter-wide educational corridors between classrooms
“Delight Tower” (6-story annex) featuring climbing walls, art studios, and vocational workshops

2. The “Longling Eye” Art Gallery – Bridging Past & Future

At the campus core, an annular art gallery serves as:

A second-level landscaped bridge with water features
A dynamic exhibition space linking old and new dining halls
A visual and functional connector enhancing student mobility

3. Community Integration: A Shared Cultural-Sports Complex

Addressing the neighborhood’s lack of public amenities, the design includes:

A double-decker cultural-sports complex with an orange-red suspended track (supported by V-shaped columns)
Staggered public access—serving students by day, residents after hours
Multi-functional spaces: Minong Theater, black box studio, golf simulator, and shooting range

Sustainability & Experiential Learning

1. Vertical Library – An Ocean of Knowledge

Spanning floors 6–12, the library features:

Four-story wave-like white walls (symbolizing endless discovery)
Dedicated access points on each floor for seamless use

2. Rooftop Ecological Gardens & Urban Farms

Promoting hands-on learning, the rooftop includes:

Circular gardens with agricultural plots
Interactive urban farming to nurture environmental awareness

Conclusion: A Future-Forward Educational Model

The Longling School renovation transcends physical upgrades—it’s a “Mountain of Knowledge” where students climb the “Path to Wisdom” through terraced gardens, activity zones, and creative spaces. By blending preservation, innovation, and community needs, Yijing Architectural Design has set a new benchmark for urban school transformations in Shenzhen.

Why This Renovation Matters for Shenzhen’s Education Future

✔ Tripled capacity (now 72 classes) in a high-demand district
✔ Seamless old-new integration despite spatial challenges
✔ Community-friendly design with shared cultural-sports facilities
✔ Cutting-edge learning spaces fostering creativity & exploration

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