Dingshu Vocational School of Pottery – In the context of industrialization, “handmade pottery” still has an irreplaceable appeal. “Craftsmanship” is at the heart of this school’s teaching, and “craftsmen’s workshop” is at the center of the campus. We have found a form for each function and let them in their place. The different forms of buildings create a rich outdoor space that distinguishes the campus from the school typology that is dominated by massive buildings. People can easily meander between the buildings and feel the change of phenology.
Architizer chatted with FAN Beilei from genarchitects to learn more about this project.
Architizer: What inspired the initial concept for your design?
FAN Beilei: We were deeply touched by thousands of years of local pottery history and lively traditional pottery making crafts.
© genarchitects
© genarchitects
This project won in the 10th Annual A+Awards! What do you believe are the standout components that made your project win?
The mission of the A+Awards has always been to cultivate architectural works that are meaningful to the society, which means these works not only have good built quality, but also have the potential to exert their positive influence. I think that’s why our work was selected.
© genarchitects
© genarchitects
What was the greatest design challenge you faced during the project, and how did you navigate it?
The biggest challenge is how to define a new type of educational building, especially the type of vocational school related to handicrafts. Through the study of the local pottery history, we learned about the way pottery making was handed down from master to apprentice in workshop. By having seminars with teachers and craftsmen, we find the clue of creating “an artisan school,” and the design goal of a low-density campus centered on a “pottery workshop” was gradually established. Instead of designing a common campus with massive buildings and extensive squares, this campus is a low-density cluster of buildings that adopted the meandering spatial layout of traditional artisan workshops.
© genarchitects
© genarchitects
© genarchitects
© genarchitects
Team Members
Xue Zhe, Fan Beilei, Kong Rui, Wang Shiyu, Tao Shuting, Liu Yang, Xian Haohui, Xue Jun, Chen Xi, Xiao Xinyu, Qian Jia, Li Lanruo, Guo Zhenghao, Qian Jia, Chi Zenglei, Qu Hao, Liu Jinghuan, Huang Fanlang, Xie Rugui, Li Yunhong
Consultants
Structural Consultant: Zhang Zhun, Zhang Chongchong, Chen Xuejian / AND Office; M&E Consultant and Corporate Design: Liang Ming, Pan Kun, Wan Huajun, Liu Jianping, He Ancheng / SGIDI; Fair-faced Concrete Consultant: Du Jie / Suzao Construction; Concrete Protectant Consultant: Du Jie / Suzao Construction, Mao Yong / Keyan Construction & Decoration, Huang Huang / Dingzhong Material; Polished Concrete Flooring Consultant: Yan Qianfeng / Fanhang Construction
Products and Materials
Red Brick, Fair-faced Concrete, Sandstone
For more on Dingshu Vocational School of Pottery, please visit the in-depth project page on Architizer.
Dingshu Vocational School of Pottery 
