Architects: Perkins&Will
Area: 38,823 m²
Year: 2023
Photography: STUDIOFANG, RAWVISION Studio
Structure: Cundall Engineering Design Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
MEP Consultant: Cundall Engineering Design Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Acoustic: Shanghai Greenspace Landscape Co., Ltd.
Landscape Consultant: Shanghai Greenspace Landscape Co., Ltd.
Design Team: James Lu, Aimee Eckmann, Paul Rice, Qi Chen, Zhou Fang, Nick Perry, Daniel Rollet, Chenjian Zheng, Bingchi Sung, Yanfang Sun, Zhechen Yu, Jianmin Fan, Corey Nissenberg, Kate Dailey, Chao Wang, Kun Xiao, Xiaoyu Wu, Mengyue Zhou
Local Design Institute: Guangzhou Design Institute Group Co., Ltd.
Security: Shanghai Greenspace Landscape Co., Ltd.
Av Consultant: Shanghai Greenspace Landscape Co., Ltd.
Façade Consultant: Schmidlin Façade Shanghai Co., Ltd.
Kitchen Consultant: Ricca Design Studios, Shanghai
Clients: American International School of Guangzhou
Program / Use / Building Function: Educational Architecture, Renovation, Extension
City: Guang Zhou Shi
Country: China
American International School of Guangzhou Science Park Campus is an interdisciplinary educational facility designed by Perkins&Will in Guangzhou, China. Completed in 2023, the reconstruction and expansion of the 42-year-old campus enhance AISG’s legacy, offering innovative spaces that support diverse learning styles. Established in 1981 for the children of American diplomats, AISG is the oldest not-for-profit international school in Guangzhou, and this project redefines future learning environments.
The American International School of Guangzhou (AISG) has completed the reconstruction and expansion of its Science Park campus. Designed by Perkins&Will, the new campus redefines future learning environments. AISG, founded in 1981 for American diplomats’ children, was the first school of its kind in southern China. The project builds on AISG’s legacy, offering spaces that support various learning styles. AISG school director Kevin Baker notes that The Master Facilities Plan was intentionally designed with the future of learning in mind with redevelopment across both campuses transforming educational spaces.
The expansion features a new upper elementary school, a dining hall, and a renovated secondary school. The layout, derived from AISG’s functional needs, divides the campus into academic, arts and culture, and athletics and recreation clusters. A skyway bridge connects these clusters, facilitating interaction between teachers and students. Transparent glass walls on the skyway provide views of the adjacent lychee forest. New facilities include a six-lane, 25-meter swimming pool, an expanded gym with separate basketball courts, a running track, fitness rooms, an external climbing wall, and two rooftop spaces for outdoor physical education. An underground parking lot was also added.
At the campus’s heart is a luminous atrium, which doubles as a multimedia library equipped with recording studios, discussion areas, and digital media suites. A broad social stair connects three levels, providing seating options for group collaboration or individual focus.
Dynamic classrooms set the campus apart. These rooms have folding and sliding partitions and modular furnishings, adapting to diverse teaching styles. Retractable walls allow classrooms to expand into corridor areas, creating break-out spaces for various learning experiences, including roundtable discussions and group activities. This layout empowers teachers and students to explore creative horizons.
Sustainability was central to the renovation, with a significant portion of the existing infrastructure reused to reduce the carbon footprint. Designers analyzed existing building blocks to preserve the structure and minimize new construction. The design optimizes natural light and ventilation and includes rooftop recreational areas for thermal insulation. On-site stormwater management, permeable paving, preservation of existing trees, and new native vegetation enhance the sustainability.
Facing the challenges of a steep urban site and an active academic calendar, the AISG team used a three-phase renovation strategy to balance construction and ongoing classes. This approach maximized available space and ensured uninterrupted learning.
AISG’s interiors feature natural tones and vibrant accents, filled with natural light and scenic views of orchards and hillside greenery. Paul Rice, principal and design director at Perkins&Will stated that in the context of urban renewal in China, many schools need redevelopment. AISG stands as a shining example of what’s achievable in creating a 21st century international education hub.
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Project Location
Address: 3 Yanyu South Street, Ersha Island, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510105, China.
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
