Weilong School by URBANUS: A Contemporary Campus Rooted in Hakka Culture and Community Urbanism

The Weilong School, designed by MENG YAN | URBANUS, is a groundbreaking educational campus in Shenzhen that redefines the relationship between architecture, culture, and the community. Completed in 2024, the 73,511 m² school is more than a learning environment—it is an urban catalyst designed to revive local culture, reconnect fragmented neighborhoods, and reinterpret the spatial beauty of traditional Hakka Walled Houses through a modern, inclusive lens.

Situated in a richly layered urban context—surrounded by residential blocks, industrial parks, and an old village—the school becomes a bridge between people, heritage, and place. The project embodies URBANUS’ belief that academic buildings can serve as engines for community revitalization, strengthening social fabric through thoughtful design.

A Site Defined by History, Culture, and Nature

The school is located near several important cultural landmarks:

• The Dawang Bogong Temple, where incense burns beneath a century-old banyan tree
• The Qixing Shiju Historic Hakka Residence, a symbol of traditional settlement
• A natural urban axis defined by two hills and a lone tree

In this layered environment, the Weilong School sits along a major city road, while its sibling campus, Weiwu School, lies across a small river. Instead of isolating students from the city, the architecture builds active connections—honoring heritage while supporting modern educational needs.

Reinterpreting Hakka Walled Houses Through Modern Architecture

Traditional Hakka settlements are defined by strong boundaries, interior courtyards, and communal living. URBANUS transforms these elements into an innovative and contemporary spatial system:

1. Continuous Horizontal Massing

In contrast to the oversized, vertical cityscape surrounding it, the school adopts a low, horizontal profile inspired by Hakka walled compounds. This creates a protected inner world that feels grounding, calm, and communal.

2. Garden Courtyards Inspired by Lingnan Landscape

By layering density along the perimeter, the heart of the campus opens into lush, garden-like courtyards—cooling the microclimate and giving students restorative outdoor space.

3. A Shared Interface Between School and City

Ground-floor colonnades, open corridors, and transparent edges create a porous connection with the neighborhood. The school becomes a civic resource—not an isolated institution.

A New Educational Model: “School Units + Corridor Clusters”

URBANUS breaks away from traditional monolithic school blocks by dividing the campus into independent learning units, each tailored to a specific age group. These units are interconnected by multi-level corridors, echoing the circulation of ancient walled settlements.

• Lower Grades: Playful Movement + Exploration

Circular ramps, child-friendly passages, and interactive thresholds encourage curiosity and discovery.

• Middle Grades: Energetic, Open Play Areas

Large, colorful courts support sports, social interaction, movement, and growth.

• Upper Grades: Quiet Gardens for Reflection

Shaded walkways, pocket courtyards, and green terraces foster focus and balanced academic life.

This layered spatial experience creates a campus that evolves with the student—both physically and emotionally.

Architecture as Cultural and Urban Activation

Weilong School is more than a place to study—it is a public, cultural, and ecological landmark. It creates:

• A continuous urban edge with public-facing spaces
• Courtyards that echo traditional Hakka typologies
• A pedestrian-friendly campus that invites community engagement
• A vibrant learning environment infused with local identity

The design shows how architecture rooted in cultural typology can shape a stronger, more connected, and more meaningful urban life.

All the photographs are works of TAL