Montage of Melodies

School for INCLUSIVE ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE

Montage of Melodies is a proactive design approach to renovate the International School of Beijing, aims to transform this K12 school to the cutting edge of learning environment by replacing the solemn institutional building with a versatile, dynamic Learning Center empowered by variety of age-appropriate, program-centered communities, thus a montage is created to activate new order of school environment. With the thoughtful design strategies, the school activity did not pause for one day during the 3-year construction.

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Montage of Melodies School Media Articles

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Unique Properties

Montage of Melodies, a proactive interior design approach to renovate the International School of Beijing, aims to transform this leading K12 school to the cutting edge of learning environment by replacing the over-unified, solemn institutional building with a versatile, dynamic learning center empowered by variety of age-appropriate, program-centered communities. All learning communities are imagined as music melodies, composing a unique montage to activate new order of school environment.

Tags

K12, Education, International School of Beijing, Renovation, Montage

Production Technology

Environmental-friendly, cost-effective and low-maintenance are keys to material selection. Low eaves, small fenestrations, simple forms, modest access colors and a large amount of wood and concrete finishes are utilized to create natural and relaxing ambience, counterbalancing the existing solemn environment. Movable partitions, vertically or horizontally operable, and loose furniture instead of fixed millwork, are employed universally to ensure the maximum flexibility of learning spaces.

Design Challenge

It was a privilege to work with ISB educators and administrators whose visions in education complements the tremendous K12 design experience of the design team. The challenge came from the conflict of the limited budget and high expectation from each learning community that refused to compromise. The design team have successfully chosen the most cost-effective, environmental friendly and low-maintenance materials and methods to turn the design intent to the best reality.

Project Duration

The International School of Beijing (ISB) is located in Shunyi District of Beijing, China. The design was commenced in May 2017 followed by construction, lasting for a total duration of nearly three and half years. In September 2020, ISB moved its students and faculties into the newly expanded and renovated facility.

Operation Flow

The project consists of 5 learning communities including Early Learning Community, ES Arts Center, ES Library, MS/HS Design Center and MS/HS Performing Arts Center, each represented by different educators and students, with whom the design team worked closely to establish design strategies together. The collaboration was successful in methods of questionnaires, focus group discussion, design charette, and etc. The designer even worked with kindergartners to observe their feedbacks.

Research

The first international school established in Beijing, ISB is composed of 1,650 students from EY3 to G12 representing 50 countries. The existing building with over-unified spaces is unable to represent the diversity of students and learning programs that are critical to curriculum innovation. The designers, in collaboration with educators and administrators, have implemented a proactive architectural approach, Montage of Melodies, to transform it to the cutting edge of learning environment.

Inspiration

Inspired by motion picture montage and music melodies, it is the design intention to create each small learning community with colors, forms and placemaking drastically different from one another and fill it to the existing architectural framework, even though the design logic is consistent: each community, highly open and adaptable, is designed to student age and learning program, with a feature community center, and able to be re-configured to meet ever-changing learning requirements.

Image Credits

Zhi Xia

Project Overview

Montage of Melodies School has been a Silver winner in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design award category in the year 2020 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.

Silver Recognition

Inclusive Architectural Practice was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2021, a testament to excellence of their work Montage of Melodies School.

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