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Western Academy of Beijing – Elementary school library renovation

Studio Vapore

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Bronze
Bronze
The newly added spiral staircase - Wu Jianquan
Library’s overall design language and color scheme, complemented by curved bookshelf modules - Wu Jianquan
Preserve the original structure while undergoing renovations, incorporating a new tower - Wu Jianquan
The newly added spiral staircase - Wu Jianquan

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Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Learning Space
6.27
7.16
6.86
5.96
6.56
John Naranjo
John Naranjo Creative Director at Arcadis - Callison RTKL
6.19
6.5
6.5
5.26
6.11
Pepa Casado D'Amato
Pepa Casado D'Amato Trend Researcher at Futurea
6
6
6
6
6
David T’Kint
David T’Kint Founder at DTK Studio
6.5
7.02
7.02
6.5
6.76
CM Jao
CM Jao Cofounder at Oft Interiors
6.77
7.07
6.49
6.77
6.78
Marc Verderol
Marc Verderol Head of Store Construction at Swarovski
6
6
6
6
6
Pallavi Dean
Pallavi Dean Founder at Roar
Very efficient planning - you've ma...
5
10
8.69
5
7.17
Dimitris Karampatakis
Dimitris Karampatakis Co-founder and Director at K-Studio
Soft volumes & color handled wit...
6
7
7
5
6.25
Nicholas Burns
Nicholas Burns Founder at Studio Nicholas Burns
6.2
7.6
6.76
6.3
6.72
Ben Pashley
Ben Pashley Head of Store Concept Development at Magasin du Nord
7.05
6.8
6.89
6
6.69
Valentina Audrito
Valentina Audrito Cofounder and Partner at Studio Audrito Word of Mouth House
6.65
7.22
7.22
7.32
7.1
Addy Walcott
Addy Walcott Creative Director at M Moser Associates
6
7
6
5
6
Bart Sasim
Bart Sasim Managing Director at Coliving Ventures
6.7
7.1
7
6.8
6.9
Krisztian Szetei
Krisztian Szetei Managing Director at Solinfo Group
6.5
9
8
5.5
7.25
Kammy Han
Kammy Han General Manager at Chengdu EGO Business Management
6.48
6.56
7.29
5.92
6.56
Ben Wu
Ben Wu Founder at W.Design
6
6.5
6
6
6.13
Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Colour
6.08
6.21
6.64
5.32
6.06
John Naranjo
John Naranjo Creative Director at Arcadis - Callison RTKL
5.98
6.09
6.09
5.26
5.86
Pepa Casado D'Amato
Pepa Casado D'Amato Trend Researcher at Futurea
6
5.5
5.5
6
5.75
David T’Kint
David T’Kint Founder at DTK Studio
6.09
5.05
7.02
5
5.79
CM Jao
CM Jao Cofounder at Oft Interiors
6.07
6.42
6.88
5.79
6.29
Marc Verderol
Marc Verderol Head of Store Construction at Swarovski
5
6
5.5
6
5.63
Pallavi Dean
Pallavi Dean Founder at Roar
I like the use of the saturated to...
6.72
7.68
10
1
6.35
Dimitris Karampatakis
Dimitris Karampatakis Co-founder and Director at K-Studio
5.7
5.5
6.02
5.7
5.73
Valentina Audrito
Valentina Audrito Cofounder and Partner at Studio Audrito Word of Mouth House
7.03
6.36
6.84
5.69
6.48
Addy Walcott
Addy Walcott Creative Director at M Moser Associates
7
6
7
5
6.25
Bart Sasim
Bart Sasim Managing Director at Coliving Ventures
6.8
7.3
7.1
5.9
6.78
Krisztian Szetei
Krisztian Szetei Managing Director at Solinfo Group
5.5
7
7.5
5
6.25
Kammy Han
Kammy Han General Manager at Chengdu EGO Business Management
6.16
6.08
6.48
6.64
6.34
Ben Pashley
Ben Pashley Head of Store Concept Development at Magasin du Nord
5
5.48
5
5.56
5.26
Ben Wu
Ben Wu Founder at W.Design
6
6.5
6
6
6.13
Client
Western Academy of Beijing
Floor area
1102 ㎡
Completion
2023
Social Media
Instagram

Studio Vapore's latest project, in partnership with WAB Elementary School, has brought to life a magical library—a testament to their most significant and impactful endeavor yet. This enchanting library effortlessly combines elements from fairy tales with traditional Chinese architecture, taking a central spot on the school campus. The primary goal of the design is to create a peaceful yet practical space where a variety of activities can coexist. The library is not just a place for reading and learning; it's also a place where classes can be held during the day. The design subtly includes features of Chinese architecture, like elements resembling traditional roof shapes, and more prominent ones such as the Tibetan tower and a reading hut inspired by Beijing's Temple of Heaven. All these architectural elements are transformed into a fairy tale-like appearance, making it feel as if children are stepping into a story from one of their books.

Within the library, hidden corners and delightful surprises await discovery, providing an engaging and immersive storytelling experience. Circular modular bookshelves create cozy reading nooks with comfortable carpets. Interactive elements like periscopes, whispering tubes, and hidden crystals that create rainbows enhance the library's enchanting atmosphere.

A central spiral staircase connects the double-height space to the second-floor design classroom, where windows overlook this literary world.

Ensuring that various activities can peacefully coexist within the same space was a challenging task. Studio Vapore enlisted the help of acoustic engineers to seamlessly incorporate acoustic features into the design, including Great Wall-inspired bricks on the side walls.