Office aaa attaches ‘Shui Yuan Assembly Hall’ in Taiwan school

Office aaa undertook the design of ‘Shui Yuan Assembly Hall’, a 2-story building on the north side of the campus in Hsinchu City, Taiwan. Occupying 1,894 sqm, the scheme hosts two badminton courts, a performance stage, and three multi-purpose classrooms. The site of the building is situated on the boundary line between Hsinchu City and the suburbs, surrounded by a picturesque landscape.

The design team raised the main building on colorful columns, thus creating a semi-outdoor playground below. This high-ceiling pilotis enables a smoother transition from the courtyard to the sports field, allowing for visual communication between the spaces. A vast triangular metal roof crowns the sports hall attachment, generating a generous space inside.

all images by Yu-Cheng Chao, unless stated otherwise

office aaa’s sports hall captures the picturesque surroundings 

The architects at office aaa sought to create a protected space that at the same time frames a sweeping view of the surrounding greenery. Thus, a large amount of glazing surrounds the building, forming a well-lit and protected arena. 

Construction-wise, the raised structure follows the original configuration of the school complex, connecting the yard directly to the main building through an external staircase. The stair is encased by a red mesh which visually matches a red A-shaped column at the corner of the building and adds some vibrant splashes to the otherwise muted palette. This column rises and penetrates the slab above, holding the roof in place.

‘The structural system and column spacing are optimized for the function of different spaces. The classrooms have small spans and are constructed with a simple concrete frame; the 2nd floor is a thick solid concrete slab with lattice beams to provide a bigger span lifting the stage and courts above; the big angled roof supported by slanted steel beams, the angle has been strategically designed to accommodate the flight path of badminton balls,’ explain the architects. The symbolic column, triangular roof, and red staircase become the key features of ‘Shui Yuan Assembly Hall’. 

vast triangular metal roof tops the sports hall attachment

image by Tze-Chun Wei | red grid wraps the external staircase