Shenzhen Foreign Language School Baoan Campus | CAPOL

Shenzhen Foreign Language School Bao’an Campus

It is the largest nine-year school in Shenzhen with 102 classes. It is located in the Bao’an District, which is part of the development axis of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Shenzhen Foreign Language School is the first of four famous schools introduced by the district and has helped alleviate the resource shortage of prestigious schools in the area.

The land used for Shenzhen Foreign Language School was originally planned as two separate schools, but the design proposed to merge them into one school to promote education equity. This resulted in the largest nine-year consistent school in Shenzhen, with a total of 102 classes and a super campus providing 4,740 learning quotas for the district. The design also included transferring the upper and lower spaces of the community road by layers to ensure space sharing and resource interconnection.

Shenzhen Foreign Language School was designed with the idea of “double interconnection on the ground and underground” to reduce traffic congestion. The underground second floor connects the two plots seamlessly, and there is a two-story street platform that connects the north and south. Urban roads pass under the platform without any interference. The plan aims to promote spontaneous activities and exchanges among teachers and students, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere in the district.

The vertical campus is a vertical extension of a large volume with high density. The goal of the design strategy is to break through in the vertical direction within the limited site, allowing for spatial diversification and maximizing land benefits. Some auxiliary functions, such as auditoriums, gymnasiums, and specialized classrooms, are located underground. This, combined with a sunken courtyard and colored floor coverings, creates a boundary for a free and soft space.

The vibrant campus creates a dialogue between people and architecture. It explains that the courtyard design is inspired by ancient theaters, with a combination of a podium, flag-raising platform, and outdoor stairs. The design of Shenzhen Foreign Language School creates a visual focus in the courtyard, where the speaker’s perspective interacts with the courtyard and surrounding buildings. The result is a three-dimensional “theater” space. The design also transforms the playground into a versatile activity space with a sense of unity and ceremony.

The community campus is a school that values its relationship with the neighborhood. The design utilizes the cross-street platform to create a space where parents can seek shelter from the wind and rain while dropping off or picking up their children. The playground is strategically located at the intersection of two roads, while the gymnasium and dormitory are positioned along the city road to improve sightlines and alleviate the crowded urban layout. The building features continuous multi-level corridors, staggered stairs, and various platforms, creating a façade that blends virtual and real elements. Overall, the design aims to showcase a cheerful and outgoing, welcoming and integrating atmosphere to the community.

Project Info:

Architects: CAPOL
Area: 107391 m²
Year: 2020
Photographs: XINZEE, Shenzhen Coastal Investment Group Co. LTD, Zhixin Wu
Construction Agency: Shenzhen Coastal Investment Group Co. LTD
Client: XinQiao Subdistrict of Baoan District
City: Shenzhen
Country: China

Tags: Architecture Schools CAPOL China Courtyard FS Schools Shenzhen Shenzhen Coastal Investment Group Co. LTD XINZEE Zhixin Wu

Mariam Abady

Mariam Abady is a dedicated editor at Arch2O, bringing a passion for sustainable and adaptive architectural practices. Based in Alexandria, she has contributed over 110 thoughtfully curated articles since joining in October 2023, showcasing her depth across cultural, educational, eco‑friendly, and urban infrastructure projects . With a background as a BIM engineer and architect, Mariam skillfully enhances the platform’s visual and thematic cohesion, staying attuned to emerging trends in lighting, material innovation, and urban design. Her editorial voice combines technical insight with creative storytelling, enriching Arch2O’s architectural discourse.