Dulwich College Shanghai Minhang, an International School, located in Shanghai’s Maqiao Village of Minhang District, provides high quality, flexible teaching and learning environments for early years, juniors and seniors across four riverside buildings.

Designed by Broadway Malyan, the concept was to create a modern interpretation of the original Dulwich College, in London. With this in mind, the scheme incorporates elements such as a clocktower and appropriately proportioned red brick facades, which are synonymous with British schools and universities designed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

A traditional Chinese bridge leads students and visitors across the river to a landscaped entrance square, overlooked by a large feature window which again references the original school.

The bricks were all sourced from ‘Shunqing Li’, a demolished residential community which was developed by British expatriates between the late 19th century and early 20th century. By combining the red and grey bricks and mixing the old and new, it creates something highly distinctive which complements both British and Chinese influences.

The design of the interiors is focused on flexibility and inspirational learning. Wide, open corridors allow for more interaction and activity outside of formal lessons, and the classrooms themselves are easily adaptable to suit different lesson plans or any changes to the curriculum in the future.

Other facilities within the school include a 560 seat professional theatre, an indoor sports hall with a 50 metre swimming pool, library and cafeteria. Additional outdoor learning and play spaces are located on some of the roofs.

The later phases will include accommodation which will wrap around the multi-use sports pitch and cricket oval, forming a central quad.

Broadway Malyan provided masterplanning, architecture, landscape architecture and interior design services for the school.