The Duling Educational and Cultural Centre is an architectural project undertaken as a non-profit endeavour by the students at the University of Hong Kong, guided by professionals through the platform Project Mingde. The educational building is positioned within the Hakka village of Duling, which is nestled in the verdant countryside of Guangxi in China. Melding sustainable design and a certain reverence for the culture and values of Duling, this project aims to address the requirements and needs of the local community. In addition to offering a safe space for children to play and learn and for villagers to meet and connect, the interventions directly respond to the preceding predicament of water scarcity being faced in the region.

The Duling project unfolded in two phases. During the first phase, the renovation of the existing school building was undertaken. “The existing school building was in a poor state due to rain and high humidity. Water leakage, moulds and resulting structural damages posed health and safety hazards to the user. These circumstances eventually shaped our brief for the project,” the team shares with STIR. In addition to enhancing the structural integrity of the structure, this stage also included the addition of a sustainable toilet and the installation of a roof that could shield the structure from any weather-induced deterioration. The second phase, on the other hand, comprised the construction of a kindergarten and cultural centre for the village.

In terms of materiality, the designers employ concrete, red brick and pine timber for the new structure. Using locally sourced materials imbues the structure with a warm tone, hence, blending in with the surrounding environment. In addition to helping foster a sense of continuity, the usage of local materials also reduces the net footprint of the structure. It also supports regional economies and empowers local artisans and craftspeople.

Duling is home to a community of around 3,000 Hakka people and is defined primarily by flatland, mostly fields and farms. Gentle hills and an abundance of vegetation append the serenity of the village. The site on which Duling Educational and Cultural Centre sits is fronted by a forested hill upon which lychee trees are planted. Calm and serene, life seems to slow down in this rural locale.

Duling, which is a Hakka village, embodies the value of hard work and education, which are deeply ingrained in the routines of everyday life. "'To farm when it is sunny and to study when it rains’ is a hallmark of Hakka culture. Intrinsic to Hakka culture, education holds high importance in the community,” the team shares with STIR. Duling Educational and Cultural Centre embodies these vernacular values in its design. Further, the educational and cultural centre adheres to fundamental Hakka principles, such as an emphasis on community living and integration with nature.

The layout of the structure is, hence, defined by various distinct private, semi-private and communal spaces, all of which are connected through a central open area. The overall structure, with its cascading C-shaped form, blends well with the proximal landscape. The indoor classrooms of the kindergarten are designed to blend in with outdoor spaces, culminating in a functionally flexible arrangement whilst also maximising airflow and optimising thermal control.

The centre comprises three buildings of varying heights—on account of their tiered roofs. The ground floor of these buildings serves as a kindergarten during daylight hours. During afternoons and evenings, these spaces serve as community spaces for the larger rural populace, integrating both planned and sporadic communal areas. “This dual functionality is not merely practical; it symbolises the fluidity of community life within a Hakka context,” mentions an excerpt from the press release.

The upper levels of these buildings, on the other hand, are dedicated to teachers’ dormitories, with a shared space for cooking, eating and resting. This layout, once again, helps foster a sense of community within the site. Further, at the centre of the structure lies an open-to-sky communal space that embodies the spirit of togetherness that is intrinsic to the Hakka identity. The central courtyard is large and adaptable and can be used by the locals for meetings, celebrations and cultural exchanges.

The Hakka village of Duling, nestled in the lush countryside of Guangxi in China, receives ample rainfall. However, the absence of an efficient water infrastructure in the region means that the village also faces a scarcity of fresh water. In addition to suspending the everyday usage of water, this deficiency also causes various hygiene concerns in the village. “Insufficient resources made basic hygiene practices, such as flushing toilets and handwashing, nearly impossible, compromising sanitation and overall well-being,” the architects shared with STIR.

The team dealt with this paradoxical situation by undertaking a comprehensive analysis of the water requirements on site. The resultant system designed to cater to these needs can now provide approximately 1500 litres of recycled rainwater every day, which can effectively address the hygiene issues and long-term sustenance of the stakeholders.

One of these interventions includes shaping the building in a way such that its cascading form—materialised with tiered roofs—channels rainwater into a collection lotus pond. The pond’s plant life and natural sediments effectively purify the water, funnelling it into an underground recycling system that further refines the filtration process before storage in an underground tank. Clean water is then pumped up from the reservoir for usage within the building. The integration of the water pond in the design is inspired by their significance in Hakka culture. Hence, apart from serving as a reservoir, the pond also serves as a symbol of the Hakka culture and the relevance of education amongst the locals. Further, hygiene issues on site are dealt with through the installation of a sustainable toilet.

Pondering upon the journey of undertaking this project, the team shares, “The journey of our recent project during the pandemic taught us invaluable lessons in resilience, collaboration and the essential principles of community-oriented design. As we embarked on the construction phase, we faced unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19, which obstructed our site visits and overall progress. In response to the prevailing circumstances, we shifted our focus toward solely relying on local resources. This decision not only mitigated supply disruptions but also fostered a profound connection with the community and its resources. The need for collaboration among community members—comprising students, professionals and residents—became evident as we engaged in collective problem-solving to navigate the uncertainties created by the pandemic.”

The essence of Duling Educational and Cultural Centre, hence, extends beyond the flexible functionality of spaces. It shines a light on the vernacular principles that are emulated through its design. Steeped in compassion, cultural sensitivity, environmental consciousness and extant scarcity in the region, the design holds space for introspection and connection.

Project Details

Name: Duling Educational and Cultural Centre
Location: Guigang, China
Client: Duling village
Architect: Elisabeth Lee
Project Management: Project Mingde (The University of Hong Kong)
Gross Built Area: 500 sq m
Year of Completion: 2024