Tree Cube
“十年树木，百年树人
It takes ten years to grow trees, but a hundred years to bring up a generation of able men.”
Inspired by and paying homage to the trees that formerly stood on the site, the STTSS (Sabah Tshung Tsin Secondary School) Tree Cube building features earthy-textured and branch-like design elements. Just as a tree provides life, shade and space, the Tree Cube was designed with the intention of enhancing the daily experiences of staff, teachers, and students.
The name ‘Tree Cube’ is a homonym for the three cubic structures that make up this building. The two outer cubes serve as learning and working spaces, while the central cube acts as one of the school’s centres of activity. A trunk-like space in the heart of the middle cube, a courtyard within a courtyard, circulates air flow throughout the building.
The front facade of the building is sheathed with an arrangement of diagonal panels in black, silver, and gold, mimicking a thicket of branches. This screen projects branch-like shadows onto the ground and diffuses sunlight into the building all day long.
Centrally located within the courtyard, the ground is sunken and overlaid with black marble, forming a sophisticated amphitheatre for gatherings, music and performances.
The Social Hall is designed to foster interaction and a sense of camaraderie. It serves as a multifunctional space for waiting, lounging, study and meeting areas. Fitted with fluid S-shaped couch-like seats made from concrete and bricks, alongside custom-made wire mesh tables, this space offers students ample space for placing their schoolbags, books and stationery.
The Social Hub is fronted by a trophy cabinet to inspire greatness. Splashed with playful and bright colours, the Social Hub is also divided into three sections: the presentation room, the living area and the pantry. These zones are separated by multifunctional swivel panels, which can be folded back to create a larger space or used for note-taking on the blackboard surface.
A relatively narrow opening between the old and new building is covered with pebble-cover drain network and foilage-filled planter boxes. A trellis covers this space, letting in diffused light, air and rain to filter through.
The Tree Cube stands as a testament to the school’s commitment for innovative learning, thoughtful design, and the encouragement of art.
Text by the architect
PROJECT GALLERY
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Architect : Kenneth Tan Design Architect (KTDA)
Client : Sabah Tshung Tsin Secondary School
Area : 767 m²
Project Location : Kota Kinabalu | Sabah
Year : 2018 -
C&S Engineer : J.K. Bersatu
Mechanical Engineer : Jentrikon Perunding Sdn Bhd
Electrical Engineer : Jentrikon Perunding Sdn Bhd
Quantity Surveyor : CSL QS Consult Sdn Bhd
Interior Designer : KTDA
Landscape Architect : KTDA
Contractor : China State Construction Engineering (M) Sdn Bhd
Project Management : Borneo Estate Development Sdn Bhd -
Floor | Floor Finishes
• Tile : Porcelain tile
• Others : Carpet tile | Facing bricks | Self-leveling compound
Wall | Wall Finishes
• Brick : Hap Seng
• Drywall : Concrete infill drywall
Roofing System : Metal deck roofing system by City Top Enterprise Sdn Bhd
Façade Systems : Aluminum box-louvers (5 Colors) c/w metal framing system
Paint Systems : Jotun Spray Tile
Waterproofing | Coating Systems : Mapei
Ceiling | Ceiling Systems : Lysaght BONDEK with painted underside
Door | Hardware : Ironmongery by Häfele
Sanitary Fittings | Systems : Johnson Suisse
Lighting Design | Fittings : Pendant lights by KTDA
Furniture : Brick bench & wire mesh table by KTDA
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