Tree Cube
A majestic statue of Confucius stands at the centre of the garden in front of the Tree Cube
The proverb ‘十年树木，百年树人’ is inscribed within the black marble that lines the courtyard amphitheatre
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 site where the Tree Cube now stands was previously a little-used garden space
The floor plan consists of three cubic sections, with the outer cubes designated as learning and working areas, while the central cube serves as a hub of school activity
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 Tree Cube is sheathed with earthy toned aluminium panels
Branch-like shadows are cast on the ground, as a result of the sun shining on the aluminium panels
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.
During recess, some students are practising their musical instruments, whilst others are conversing at the amphitheatre
Centrally located within the courtyard, the ground is sunken and overlaid with black marble, forming a sophisticated amphitheatre for gatherings, music and performances.
Fluid S-shaped interactive seating space
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 comprised of the Pantry, the Living Area, and the Presentation Room
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 corridor connects the old and new buildings
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