Western Academy of Beijing
Mangrove Project

A mangrove-inspired pedestrian bridge creating harmony between students and nature— where learning, rest, and play coexist in a safe, vibrant campus environment

Design Philosophy

This project resolves the conflict between vehicles and pedestrians within the campus, providing students with safe and pleasant spaces. Inspired by mangrove root structures, we create spaces where nature and students interact, fostering a campus environment where learning, rest, and play coexist in harmony with the natural landscape.

Nature

Inspired by the root structure of mangrove trees—how they tangle up to provide a home for nature. We created not just a path, but a place of symbiosis where nature and students can interact and grow together.

Build

Referring to the organic form of mangrove roots, we designed a rhythmic deck where paths for walking, cycling, and resting connect. Along the bridge's exterior, we incorporated planters for aquatic plants and observation pockets for small creatures.

Grow

The new bridge connects students and nature. As students cross it, they learn about environmental changes, pause for rest, and commune with living organisms. It is a multi-layered space where students and nature can truly grow together.

Community

By minimizing vehicle access and creating comfortable pedestrian roads, we construct the campus into a single loop. Expanded plazas and rest areas at intersections encourage spontaneous gatherings and interaction.

The Challenge

As I crossed my school bridge one morning, I noticed an opportunity. Why not repurpose this mundane daily commute to school into an encounter with nature? My friends were often stressed by Beijing's intense educational pressures—they needed more than just a path to class.

The challenge was clear: could I transform this utilitarian crossing into a necessary therapeutic respite? One thing I took away from years of building vivariums is that humans can really benefit from these revitalizing spaces to regulate ourselves and decompress from the weight of social expectations.

The Solution

With a majestic mangrove tree at its center, my design provides a natural shelter for both commuters and wildlife. I created a wooden pathway that forks into different levels depending on students' pace—the swifter route guides busier students, while the longer verdant route offers room for pause and reflection.

Birds and lizards occupy the mangrove branches while fish swarm around its roots, creating a living ecosystem. This mangrove bridge becomes a necessary therapeutic respite, offering pockets of restoration within the relentless machinery of modern life.

My architectural philosophy centers on orchestrating natural and manmade elements to refurbish the daily interactions with nature that make us more present, more grounded, and ultimately more human.