Ecology Classroom, Xihu Elementary School

台北市西湖國小生態教室
Ecology Classroom,
Xihu Elementary School, Taipei

Collaborative Design Partner: Y Arch
Taipei City, Taiwan
Educational Space
Competition

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Conceived as an “ecological treasure chest,” this classroom transforms a once-standard learning space by removing partition walls and inviting nature in. Sunlight filters through translucent epoxy resin panels embedded with specimens, casting layered shadows that turn the room into a forest-like theater. Beyond its form, the design encourages hands-on engagement and user participation, aiming to establish a living tradition within the school—one that evolves over time and is renewed by its students.

Hands-On Making
The design team provided molds of various sizes and epoxy resin materials, inviting students to participate in the classroom’s transformation. Through collecting and crafting specimens, children engage with the process and discover the joy of making.

User Participation
The classroom is never truly “finished.” It grows and evolves through student participation. Once complete, the specimens become part of the classroom’s physical fabric—a layered wall of contributions, memory, and meaning.

Ongoing Renewal
The display system is designed for flexibility. Students may reclaim their specimens as keepsakes, while new students create their own, replacing old ones. This cyclical process fosters a quiet ritual of renewal—where memory, activity, and space evolve together.