vo trong nghia architects: binh duong junior high school

‘binh duong junior high school’ by vo trong nghia co, binh duong province, vietnam image © oki hiroyuki all images courtesy of vo trong nghia co

vietnamese firm vo trong nghia co has just completed the ‘binh duong junior highschool’ outside of ho chi minh city to house 800 students. buried within a lush forest full of fruit trees and a variety of native vegetative species, the educational institute was restricted to a height of five stories to maintain a profile below the tree tops. the swerving form gradually grows out of the ground emphasizing its connection to the site. white concrete columns and vertical louvers support the exterior corridors and passively shade the interior spaces and maintain views.

the semi-permeable ‘S’ shape of the footprint creates two semi-protected exterior green courtyards, the first of which is used for public meeting spaces and formal events surrounded by the gym, library, laboratories and teachers’ rooms. the other serves the students’ classrooms, providing a private area for children to socialize around the swimming pool. the semi-transparent character of the spaces within the fluid floor plan allows for interaction between students and teachers, and provides the ability for complete privacy.

courtyard image © oki hiroyuki

square pavers in the open air courtyards image © oki hiroyuki

facade of vertical louversimage © oki hiroyuki

open area between courtyardsimage © oki hiroyuki

sun-shade louvers create light-filled exterior circulationimage © oki hiroyuki

blaconyimage © oki hiroyuki

vertical shades create transparencyimage © oki hiroyuki

exterior hallwaysimage © oki hiroyuki

perforated concrete wall protecting vertical circulationimage © oki hiroyuki

facade grows out of the groundimage © oki hiroyuki

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

floor plan / level 2

floor plan / level 3

floor plan / level 4

floor plan / level 5

section

elevation

elevation

complete linear elevation

spatial diagram