China 2016

In early 2016, BJA were commissioned to prepare a Master Plan for the first Waldorf School established in China. The Master Plan anticipated growth into a double stream Kindergarten, Primary High School. The site strategy ensures that architectural form will develop over time to manifest the principles of the Waldorf Pedagogy which underpins the child’s education. Some existing facilities needed to be retained and some demolished to provide space for the new. The large 3Ha site provided challenges, particularly as a high-speed train line bounds 2 sides, a high voltage power line runs through the middle, not to mention the vagaries of Chinese regulations. These constraints necessitated plans for two, three and potentially four storeys to allow sufficient play areas and open space for the differing needs of Kindergarten, Primary and High School students. Three Master Plan strategies were developed to offer the school different qualities of place as well as alternative strategic and staging options.