Shanghai American School: Arts Facilities
Puxi Campus, Shanghai, China

Founded in 1912, closed in 1949 and reopened in 1980, the Shanghai American School has been growing rapidly over the past decade. A private, non-profit, co-educational international school, it is currently growing to meet the changing needs of the expatriate community in China's largest metropolis.

Working with Boston-based architects Wood + Zapata, Wilson Butler designed the two new performing arts facilities for the expanding campus. Wood + Zapata planned the expansion of the campus that placed a 650-seat performing arts center along one edge of a new campus common and added a 100-seat Studio Theater to a corner of the campus. Both arts facilities are designed to welcome students and the local community. The 500 s.m. "black box" Studio Theater opened in March 2004, providing the school with a much-needed home for theater art performances. The 650-seat theater, at 3671 s.m., will serve as both a home for student performances as well as community cultural activities.

Both venues are designed to use available local raw materials for modest building costs, and detailing has been developed to take advantage of the skills of local artisans and craftsmen.

Project Info
Cost:
N/A
Complete: 2004
Scope: Planning, Architecture
Client: Shanghai American School
Staff: Scott Wilson, AIA; Will Horne

arts / entertainment

education