A middle school in Shanghai's Xuhui district has introduced an innovative architectural feature for the benefit of its students: a basketball court, installed on the school's rooftop. The court was built in August and put into use in September.

Zeng Xianyi, the headmaster of the school, explained that students on the fourth and fifth floors have less time for physical activity during their 10-minute class breaks, as they need extra time to go up and down the stairs. For that reason, during the 2016 summer break, a basketball court was built on the school's rooftop so that students whose classrooms are on high floors are able to fit in a quick game during breaks.

Zeng explained that there are no added safety risks, as the basketball court is surrounded by a 4-meter-high fence, and even covered by a net on top. Students will not be at a heightened risk of falling off the building, and students on the ground won’t be threatened by basketballs flying off the elevated court.

Zeng emphasized that the school attaches great importance to students’ education in music, sports and arts. They do everything they can to provide facilities that meet the students’ requirements in these subjects. Zeng said he now plans to build basketball or soccer courts on the rooftops of the school's two other campuses.