curved white fence encloses chicken coop and herb zone in school in taiwan

curved white fence encloses chicken coop and herb zone in school in taiwan

studio whispace + architects intertwines nature and teaching

 

In Miaoli County, Taiwan, Studio Whispace + Architects has transformed Nanheps Elementary School through Project Ohm Ω. Drawing from Louis Kahn’s philosophy on intertwinining teaching and nature, the project envisions a shared space beneath a protective canopy of trees, where teachers, students, and even chickens coexist amid a gently curving white metal fence.

 

Shaped like the Greek letter ohm (Ω), this space forms a concave enclosure beneath the rain tree, connecting the natural landscape, a food garden, and a composting area. The design divides the plan into distinct zones — chicken coop, compost teaching, and herb cultivation areas — inviting students to closely observe the chickens and engage with them using elements such as name cards, egg racks, and feeding stations.

curved white fence by studio whispace + architects encloses chicken coop and herb zone in school in taiwan
compost bin design integrated with the landscape | all images courtesy of Studio Whispace + Architects

 

 

a chicken coop, compost teaching zone, & herb cultivation area

 

The experimental institution adopts a four-season curriculum plan that integrates food and agricultural education, and provides a more diverse learning experience by housing retired laying hens. Originally tucked away in a within a makeshift enclosure, surrounded by abandoned concrete structures and disposed compost piles, the chicken coop lacked visual openness, hindering student interaction. Whispace + Architects addressed this challenge by relocating the chicken coop to the heart of an open area, encircled by a metal fence.

 

The chicken coop prioritizes hen comfort and ease of student maintenance while the compost area features four compartments for various composting stages, complete with observation holes for student monitoring. The herb cultivation area focuses on edible herbs like rosemary and sage, enhancing the sensory experience for food and agricultural education. In alignment with the school’s year-round curriculum, the architectural team designed sunshade and rainproof activity canopies to shield the chicken coop from excessive sunlight exposure. These double as spaces for evening activities, illuminated by locally sourced indirect lighting to minimize ecological disruption.

curved white fence by studio whispace + architects encloses chicken coop and herb zone in school in taiwan
the concave space in the shape of an ‘Ω’ naturally encourages students to gather and observe nature

 

 

Additionally, the enclosure itself serves as an interactive interface, incorporating feeding and watering areas, chicken name tag displays, and egg rack interactions — transforming it into an educational tool for ecological learning rather than a mere barrier. The renovation has also prompted a notable shift in student behavior; students now demonstrate a newfound willingness to engage with the chickens, making it easier to care for the coop.

curved white fence by studio whispace + architects encloses chicken coop and herb zone in school in taiwan
a landscaped garden combined with herbaceous plants, opening up students’ sensory experiences

curved white fence by studio whispace + architects encloses chicken coop and herb zone in school in taiwan
landscape seating combined with a drinking area for students’ convenience in observing

curved white fence by studio whispace + architects encloses chicken coop and herb zone in school in taiwan
wall openings allow chickens to move through

curved white fence by studio whispace + architects encloses chicken coop and herb zone in school in taiwan
an environmentally friendly chicken coop space

curved white fence by studio whispace + architects encloses chicken coop and herb zone in school in taiwan
wall openings allow chickens to move through freely

project-ohm-studio-whispace-architects-taiwa-designboom-2

a well-ventilated environment

curved white fence by studio whispace + architects encloses chicken coop and herb zone in school in taiwan
automatic chicken feeder

curved white fence creates an agricultural education field in taiwan
five sizes of egg racks used for measuring the size of eggs students collect

curved white fence creates an agricultural education field in taiwan
the chicken jumping platform also serves as a teaching-use surface

project-ohm-studio-whispace-architects-taiwa-designboom-1

the teaching space transforms into an ecological playground

 

project info:

 

name: Project Ohm Ω
architecture: Studio Whispace + Architects

location: Miaoli County, Taiwan

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: ravail khan | designboom

KEEP UP WITH OUR DAILY AND WEEKLY NEWSLETTERS
suscribe on designboom
- see sample
- see sample
suscribe on designboom

architecture in taiwan (192)

chicken coops (14)

renovation and restoration architecture and design (919)

school architecture and design (715)

steel architecture and design (284)

PRODUCT LIBRARY

a diverse digital database that acts as a valuable guide in gaining insight and information about a product directly from the manufacturer, and serves as a rich reference point in developing a project or scheme.

interview: palazzo citterio in milan reopens with temple-inspired pavilion by mario cucinella Dec 06, 2024
interview: palazzo citterio in milan reopens with temple-inspired pavilion by mario cucinella
in an interview with designboom, the italian architect discusses the redesigned spaces in the building, including the multifunctional ticketing booth at the entrance and glass boxes in the exhibition room.
X
5