Students Service Centre: A Calming Space for Connection and Support

Creating a Tranquil Oasis in the Heart of the Campus

Located at the center of the campus, the Student Services Centre is a standout feature that seamlessly blends with the surrounding outdoor playground. Inspired by the perception of a resort, the design team aimed to recreate the calming atmosphere of a pool, focusing on light and imagery. The result is a space that invites students to see and feel, offering a respite from the demands of academic life.

The center boasts a range of unique properties that set it apart from traditional student service centers. Private hubs, designed for intimate and confidential discussions, provide students with a safe space to share their thoughts and seek guidance. These hubs are complemented by common areas that encourage social interaction and peer learning.

Eureka Limited employed a minimalist approach to the design, utilizing a limited material palette consisting of white paint, white vinyl floor, grey felt, grey granolithic, patterned glass, and greenery. This deliberate choice creates a clean and serene aesthetic, allowing the focus to remain on the students and their experiences within the space.

The Student Services Centre features eight private hubs, each measuring 2.5m by 2.5m. Thin walls were constructed to fulfill the acoustic requirements for private conversations, ensuring privacy without sacrificing spatial qualities. Additionally, each hub is equipped with a light trough above, serving as a room indicating light.

One side of the center houses a collaborative office space for counselors, while the other side features the eight private pods. By conceiving these pods as standalone volumes, small pocket spaces were created where students can wait privately for their meetings or enjoy quiet moments of reflection. In the middle, a common space serves as a hub of activity, allowing students and teachers to pass through, meet friends, and engage in various activities.

The design process for the Student Services Centre began with a physical model and a desire to create a calm and relaxed environment for private conversations. This vision informed the layout and plan of the space, ensuring that every aspect of the design serves the needs of the students.

Reconceptualizing the traditional student service center posed a challenge for the design team. The goal was to create a space that fosters different degrees of privacy within a small area, while still maintaining a sense of openness and spatial quality. To achieve this, greenery and natural light were introduced to various corners of the center, creating a harmonious blend of nature and architecture.

The completion of the Student Services Centre in November 2019 marked a significant milestone for Yew Chung International School. This innovative space provides students with a tranquil oasis where they can seek support, connect with others, and engage in personal growth. The design, created by Eureka Limited, has been recognized for its excellence and practicality, earning the prestigious Iron A' Design Award in 2020.