TSHINGHUA SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS
Location: Beijing, China
Design Director: Raya Ani
Company Name: Perkins+Will
Category: Institution
Year: 2005
The project represents the University’s vision of integrating the Arts and the Sciences as part of the institution. The 650,000 S.F. Tsinghua school of arts houses workshops, classrooms, sketch halls, multi- function rooms, library and administration offices. The program is divided between two buildings, the public building and the student building. The classrooms are located on the north side with glass walls and skylights that brings in the north light. The workshops are on the east and south side of the building where the exterior is cladded with stone. The library in the public building is a destination for art students as well as other students from the campus. The reading room inhabits the void and creates a floating object connected to the library via bridges.
Elements of Nature are introduced in the interior Display hall. Sculptures are situated on platforms on either side, while the center uses natural elements of water and greenery. Natural light is provided through the use of skylights. The sketch hall is designed for the display of large scale sculptures as well as providing areas for sketching on multiple building levels.
Natural light, neutral finishes, lightness and transparency were all carefully considered in the design of all spaces. Group discussion areas along the workshop corridors provide opportunities for accidental meet ups and a space for the pin-up of students’ work.
