French International School in Hong Kong

 

French International School in Hong Kong


LOCATION:
Hong Kong (HK)

ARCHITECT:
Henning Larsen

MODEL:
Tip Bench

MORE INFO:
www.henninglarsen.com (architects)
www.fis.edu.hk (client)
www.marshallday.com (acousticians)

 

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In the concrete jungle of Hong Kong,  Henning Larsen completed the new campus of the French International School offering a vibrant green oasis in the dense city.
Just above street level in Hong Kong’s Tseung Kwan O district, sunlight meets the kaleidoscopic façade of the new French International School campus, spilling into the building through windows laid across a grid of 727 multicoloured tiles that offers a “material representation of the environment within.” The vibrant patterns symbolise the forward-thinking, international outlook of the school, which offers five languages to a student body representing 40 nationalities. 

A new campus was needed to accommodate 1,050 primary and middle school students, whereas an open villa was required for the primary school. Besides, the school should stand as a model of “Green school”, showcasing the most efficient sustainable strategies and as an eco-project involving students and teachers. Thus, the architects merged the traditionally enclosed classrooms and corridors together in a series of large open spaces called Villas in the primary school section – these Villas are more domestic than institutional in character. Then, large full-height sliding glass doors allow the teachers to open up their classes to each other and to a shared central space called the Agora where group activities unfold. Classes from both streams of the school (French and International) can then collaborate together. By dissolving the traditional classrooms and pushing the boundaries on how learning spaces can allow teachers and classes to work together in a more collaborative open space, the 19,600 m2 new school is placed at the forefront of pedagogical innovation in Hong Kong.

The campus sets an example in sustainability. The building form as well as  the façade designs are optimized to respond to the local climate and to decrease energy consumption and increase comfort by passive means.All the classrooms are arranged to face north and south to avoid the blazing sunlight and heat from east and west, and the deep brise-soleil shades the façades to minimise solar heat gains. The light is generous and homogenous throughout the day. The brise-soleil entirely removes the need for blinds or curtains and enables a clearer glass to be used, thus providing a more natural colour of daylight in interior spaces.

Natural vegetation is crucial to the green function. Forty-two trees, a plant covered perimeter fence, multi-storey hanging gardens and a 550-square-metre botanical garden planted with native South Chinese vegetation are among the green spaces that establish the school as a lush garden. As the vegetation improves air quality within the urban setting, ventilation systems utilize natural breezes to circulate fresh air through the building and reduce reliance on air-conditioning. Students are able to gain hands-on experience with the region’s natural vegetation, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship and a practical education in sustainability.

High standard materials with non-toxic properties were expansively used in the project. Priority was given to materials and finishes with low carbon footprint such as products of non-petrochemical origin (rubber floor instead of vinyl floor, mineral paint instead of acrylic paint), recyclable materials (bamboo, rubber, wool fabrics) and locally available and sourced materials (bamboo, glazing). Regarding the chairs, we were asked to develop a brand new chair based on the design of Henning Larsen Architects: 2 & 3 seaters with outer bamboo plywood panels for seat & back and riser mounting. The chairs were specifically created for the auditorium of this building following the ideas of the architects as well as the acoustic requirements of Marshall Day acousticians who determined the parameters our chairs should meet. Open cell foam, back structures made out of solid timber, horizontal perforations on seat panels and Hallingdale fabric from Kvadrat were some of the materials we used for the creation of these splendid chairs.

 

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