Dabao Primary School and Cultural Community Centre

PrizeWinner in Architectural Design / Other Architecture, Winner in Architectural Design / Educational Buildings
Firm LocationHong Kong, Hong Kong
CompanyProject Mingde
Lead ArchitectElisabeth Lee
ClientPAN Foundation

Dabao village is remotely situated within the scenic mountains of Guangxi province in China. This isolated settlement provides a home to an ethnic minority group, the 'Yaos'. Due to their seclusion and poverty, the village lacked a safe environment for the children to learn. Thus, this non-profit project aimed at providing the Yaos with a primary school, which at the same time serves as a community centre. The design and construction process was a reciprocal exchange in culture, knowledge and skills resulting in a design that responds to and shows a deep understanding of the people and place.