Quzhou Student Community Center: A Pioneering Living Zone on Campus

The Quzhou Student Community Center is a revolutionary project in China that redefines the concept of a living zone on campus. This innovative development aims to break through functional limitations by fully integrating public life and residential functions, creating a new 3.0 living zone model. Located in Quzhou High-speed Railway New City, the community center will provide multiple functions for the self-sufficient research institute, including accommodation, social interaction, activities, catering, learning, and entertainment.

Challenges in Design and Planning

Due to the limited space and lack of outdoor sports facilities in the surrounding area, the 20,000-square-meter community center is designed as a complex with a focus on maximizing space and utility. Moreover, the campus site's micro-topography features a height difference of over ten meters between the northern and southern parts, which necessitates a unique design approach that takes advantage of the terrain.

Program and site condition © Sishifangyuan

Innovative Architectural Approach

Five different life scenes, including accommodation, study rooms, activity centers, and student dining rooms, are integrated into a complex formed by repeating the same motif. The functional volumes are split and reassembled at regular scales to form settlements. The height and volume of the five boxes and even the size of the courtyard reflect individual differences and increase the overall richness.

Exploded axonometric drawing of the building © Sishifangyuan

Vertical Functionality and Harmony with the Environment

The community center adopts a common mix-use design in which multiple functions overlay in the vertical direction of the building. This two-way functional overlay creates a huge volume for the community center. The roof that falls step by step following the micro topography provides students with a natural observation point of view. Standing in a high place, different life scenes appear directly.

The roof that falls step by step © Octopus Jianzhu

Activity center facade at night © Ma Yuan

Connect Life Scenes in Series

The introverted courtyard reflects a strong homeland affection, and the horizontal extension of the volume makes the courtyards closely connected. All inner courtyards are interlocked and in different forms, creating a dynamic living environment for students and faculty. Courtyards featuring nature, sports, and study rooms offer a variety of spaces to see and be seen, promoting social interaction and a sense of community.

Interlocking courtyard © Octopus Jianzhu

Big courtyard of the dormitory © Octopus Jianzhu

Architectural Promenade

The architect divides the path into the internal and the external, which weaves a three-dimensional network. The internal path provides a convenient and efficient traffic flow, while the external path combines specific functions. It starts from the entrance hall and is connected with the internal path of the dormitory on the falling roof to complete the cycle.

Middle courtyard of the dormitory © Ma Yuan

Sports courtyard of the activity center at night © Octopus Jianzhu

Dynamic Roof and External Path

The red circular plastic runway is the core of the external path, extending from the activity center to the dormitories. It combines with the rough yellow acrylic, which stands out from the fair-faced concrete. With greenery on both sides, it forms the most dynamic roof and adds to the overall aesthetics of the community center.

A seam courtyard of the study room © Octopus Jianzhu

Designing for the Future

During the design process, the architect focused on meeting the expectations of the site, the life, and the future. The community center's thoughtful design aims to provide an enriching and comfortable living experience for students and faculty, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

Epilogue

Standing on the roof and viewing the surrounding mountains and beautiful sunset, the experience of living on campus is constantly evolving. The Quzhou Student Community Center project marks a significant step towards the future of campus living zones