curved white fence encloses chicken coop and herb zone in school in taiwan

studio whispace + architects intertwines nature and teaching

In Miaoli County, Taiwan, Studio Whispace + Architects has transformed Nanheps Elementary School through Project Ohm Ω. Drawing from Louis Kahn’s philosophy on intertwinining teaching and nature, the project envisions a shared space beneath a protective canopy of trees, where teachers, students, and even chickens coexist amid a gently curving white metal fence. Shaped like the Greek letter ohm (Ω), this enclosure forms a concave enclosure beneath the Taiwanese rain tree, connecting the natural landscape, a food garden, and a composting area. The design divides the plan into distinct zones — chicken coop, compost teaching, and herb cultivation areas — inviting students to closely observe the chickens and engage with them using elements such as name cards, egg racks, and feeding stations.

compost bin design integrated with the landscape | all images courtesy of Studio Whispace + Architects

a chicken coop, compost teaching zone, & herb cultivation area

The experimental institution adopts a four-season curriculum plan that integrates food and agricultural education, and provides a more diverse learning experience by housing retired laying hens. Originally tucked away in a within a makeshift enclosure, surrounded by abandoned concrete structures and disposed compost piles, the chicken coop lacked visual openness, hindering student interaction. Whispace + Architects addressed this challenge by relocating the chicken coop to the heart of an open area, encircled by a curved metal fence.

The chicken coop prioritizes hen comfort and ease of student maintenance while the compost area features four compartments for various composting stages, complete with observation holes for student monitoring. The herb cultivation area focuses on edible herbs like rosemary and sage, enhancing the sensory experience for food and agricultural education. In alignment with the school’s year-round curriculum, the architectural team designed sunshade and rainproof activity canopies to shield the chicken coop from excessive sunlight exposure. These canopies double as spaces for evening activities, illuminated by locally sourced indirect lighting to minimize ecological disruption.

the concave space in the shape of an ‘Ω’ naturally encourages students to gather and observe nature

Additionally, the enclosure itself serves as an interactive interface, incorporating feeding and watering areas, chicken name tag displays, and egg rack interactions — transforming it into an educational tool for ecological learning rather than a mere barrier. The renovation has also prompted a notable shift in student behavior; students now demonstrate a newfound willingness to engage with the chickens, making it easier to care for the coop.

a landscaped garden combined with herbaceous plants, opening up students’ sensory experiences

landscape seating combined with a drinking area for students’ convenience in observing

wall openings allow chickens to move through

an environmentally friendly chicken coop space

wall openings allow chickens to move through freely

automatic chicken feeder

five sizes of egg racks used for measuring the size of eggs students collect

the chicken jumping platform also serves as a teaching-use surface

project info:

name: Project Ohm Ω
architecture: Studio Whispace + Architects

location: Miaoli County, Taiwan

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom