Yanjiang Rural School Expansion – DOMAT Architects

The Yanjiang Rural School in Jiangxi, China, is a thoughtfully designed school expansion that replaces the old, dilapidated structure with a modern, functional educational facility. Serving primary and kindergarten students, the new school accommodates 450 students from five neighboring villages, providing 13 classrooms and a library, while maintaining harmony with the surrounding rural environment.

Contextual and Site-Responsive Design

The school’s design embraces the existing site context, including an adjacent dormitory block, forming multiple courtyard spaces. These courtyards are intended for agricultural education, encouraging children to engage with local farming practices and consider sustaining rural livelihoods in the future. The building respects the site’s natural topography, minimizing excavation while offering covered playgrounds and library spaces with generous headroom.

Sustainable and Passive Environmental Strategies

DOMAT incorporated passive environmental design principles to reduce energy consumption and harness natural resources. Classrooms are arranged along a north-south axis to optimize sunlight and cross-ventilation. The innovative vaulted roofs channel rainwater efficiently while increasing ceiling heights to naturally cool upper classrooms during summer months.

Expressed Structure and Material Integrity

The school’s architecture celebrates structural honesty. A simple grid system organizes the building, while drainage pipes are embedded along columns for visual integration and easy maintenance. Curved doorways enhance accessibility and safety for fire evacuation. Locally sourced fair-faced brick walls reveal craftsmanship and preserve the authenticity of construction.

Social Interaction and Connectivity

Design strategies also prioritize student interaction. Corridor walls with integrated seating, open staircases, and accessible flat roofs encourage social exchange across levels. These features create a vibrant, engaging learning environment that nurtures both education and community spirit.

Challenges and Remote Collaboration

Remarkably, the Yanjiang Rural School was designed and constructed during the COVID-19 pandemic, under remote supervision. Despite a limited budget, local construction constraints, and coordination challenges, DOMAT successfully delivered a functional, aesthetically refined, and contextually sensitive school.

All photographs are works of DOMAT Limited