Alliance Primary School: A Harmonious Blend of Tradition and Innovation

Established in 1992, Alliance Primary School (APS) is in Hong Kong, a city renowned for its densely built urban environment. The school’s original architecture mirrored the typical multi-storied building designs of its time, where classroom corridors surrounded a small courtyard—the only natural light source. Over time, this compact layout became a challenge as the school expanded its focus on holistic education, particularly in the arts.

Alliance Primary School reflects Hong Kong’s urban density, with a compact, multi-story design centred around a small courtyard.

The Importance of Music Education

Music has always held a special place in APS’s educational philosophy. Recognizing the role of music in nurturing creativity and humanity, the school cultivated an award-winning orchestra. However, despite the school’s passion for music, it lacked a dedicated space for rehearsals and performances. This sparked the idea of building a new music hall—a project that would solve the spatial issues while preserving the school’s existing open areas.

The Courtyard Transformation: Creating Space in a Crowded Campus

The only available space for the expansion was the school’s 200-square-meter courtyard. To avoid sacrificing this precious outdoor area, architects devised a creative solution: suspending the new music hall above the courtyard. This use of vertical space transformed the area underneath into a semi-outdoor auditorium and covered playground, thus retaining the open space while adding a multifunctional venue. This innovative design created interconnected spaces for students to explore, encouraging interaction and play.

Merging the Old with the New: Harmonising Structures

A key challenge of the project was integrating the new music hall with the existing campus. The architects achieved this by using computational design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology to shape the music hall’s irregular steel structure. The curved, flowing form of the new hall contrasts with the rigid, angular lines of the original building, creating a dynamic yet harmonious dialogue between the two structures. The gaps between the new and old buildings allow natural light, air, and even rain to flow through, enriching the sensory experience for students and ensuring the design remains environmentally conscious.

Curved, irregular steel structure defines the new music hall, creating a striking contrast with the original campus.

The Rooftop Landscape: A Nod to Tradition

In a nod to traditional Chinese architecture, the new rooftop was designed as an “artificially natural” landscape, inspired by the undulating forms of Lingnan-style gabled roofs. Constructed from aluminum panels, the rooftop mimics the rolling hills of the surrounding urban landscape, offering a distinctive visual element that blends seamlessly with the existing structure.

Echoing Lingnan-style gables, the new aluminium rooftop mimics rolling hills, blending tradition with a modern urban landscape.

Acoustic Excellence and Energy Efficiency

Inside the music hall, special attention was paid to acoustics and energy conservation. Acoustic panels, hidden beneath semi-transparent chiffon, provide soundproofing while adding a touch of elegance to the interior. The use of rock wool insulation helps regulate temperature, reducing the need for air conditioning and promoting energy efficiency. These thoughtful design choices enhance the functionality of the space without compromising on aesthetics.

A Space for Growth and Creativity

The transformation of Alliance Primary School’s courtyard into a multifunctional space reflects the school’s commitment to fostering creativity and holistic education. By elevating the music hall and preserving the outdoor playground, APS has created an environment that encourages exploration, interaction, and learning. The blend of innovative architecture and traditional design elements ensures that the school remains a vibrant, inspiring place for generations of students to come.

This project not only meets the practical needs of the school but also serves as a symbol of the possibilities that arise when creativity, technology, and respect for the past come together in architectural design.