Project Name: Bridge School

<< The lightweight educational facility spans a creek, and resembles the archetype of the inhabited bridge. >>

Project Type: Architecture

Project Mission/Goal: Responds to growing need for education.

Project Description:

"The lightweight structure spans a creek in a single bound, and resembles the archetype of the inhabited bridge. Supported on concrete piers, the simple steel structure acts like a giant box girder that has been slightly dislocated. The steel frame is wrapped in a veil of thin timber slats which filter light and temper the interior with cool breezes. Inside are a pair of wedge-shaped classrooms tapering towards the mid-point of the structure. The school can be transformed into an impromtu theatre or play structure, and Li Xiaodong hopes the building will become a social centre for the village. Although it is possible to use the building as a bridge, a narrow crossing suspended underneath the steel structure and anchored by tensile wires offers an alternative and more direct route." (The Architectural Review)

Links and Captions:
http://www.archtracker.com/ar-emerging-architecture-2009-winners/2009/11...
http://www.arplus.com/9762/ar-emerging-architecture-2009-winner-1-of-4-b...

Project Details: (per project detail form)
LOCATION: Xiashivillage, Pinghe County, Fujian province, China
DATE: 2008–9
END USER: 1200 Xiashi Village Residents, including 35–40 students who attend the school
CLIENT: Xiashi Village
DESIGN FIRM: Li Xiaodong Atelier
CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS: Hedao Architecture Design
PROJECT TEAM: Wang Chuan, Chen Jian Sheng, Nie Junqui, Liu mengjia, Liang Qiong, Li Xiaodong, Li Ye
CONTRACTOR: Zhangzhou Steel and the people of Xiashi Village
FUNDERS: 50 per cent government; 40 percent private; 10 percent Li Xiaodong (ongoing costs funded by local government)
COST: $95000 USD
BUILDING AREA: 240 sq m/2583 sq ft
SITE AREA :1550 sq m/16684 sq ft

Location