The Staff Kindergarten (Qianjiashan Campus) is designed by LYCS ArchitectureArchitects in an integrated architectural and interior design. The project is located in Wisdom New City of Quzhou City, with a total construction area of 11,568 square meters, designed according to the first-grade standard of Zhejiang Province, and can meet the use of 15 classes at the same time.
From Haishu School in Future Sci-Technology City to Yiwu Foreign Language School, small-scale space has always been the direction of exploration in LYCS Architecture education architecture. We tried to use a smaller scale in the design of the Jiaogong kindergarten, choosing different sizes of houses to "subtract" the first-floor space one by one, forming a different kind of overhead "camping" space.
Located in a densely populated residential area with limited construction land, this project focuses on providing children with maximum freedom for growth and activity within a narrowlimited spaces. The goal is to inspire independent exploration and learning through play and joyoutdoor activities.
The traditional campus is divided into a teaching area and an activity area, and this split design leaves limited space for children's activities. In the hope of giving back the land to the children, the original ecological terrain has been preserved and transformed into a spaceship-shaped playground that stimulates curiosity and desire for exploration. Using the concept of a small spaceship in a playground, the design team imagined the campus building as a spaceship gently landing in the playground, creating a space close to nature and fresh for the children.
Kindergarten means "children's garden," so it is important to design with the perspective of children. A spaceship-shaped building shaped like a doughnut attracts children, stimulating their curiosity and desire to explore the campus.
The "spaceship" has more benefits than just being friendly to the children. First of all, the form of the buildign creates an enclosure of a circular inner courtyard, which brings more light into the building and offers a sense of embraced security a warm and safe feeling for children. Playing on the grass slope, resembling is like wandering in a small valley.
Small houses of different shapes are placed in the circular corridor and painted with bright yellow, lush green and vibrant blue in an orderly manner to "light up" the small houses and create a façade design full of childlike interest. The second-floor circular corridor is the main place for children's recess activities. It is also a circular exhibition hall on campus, regularly displaying children's learning diaries and whimsical ideas. The orderly glass windows bring the sunlight into the room, casting rhythmic light and shadow, while the children paint and draw in the corridor, chasing and playing, interacting with their peers playing in the "valley."
The diverse and varied voids small houses arranged around the inner courtyard on the ground floor resemble a tented village gathering around a campfire in a campsite. The expansive landscape views evoke the children's imagination of outdoor camping and develop a sense of wonder and excitement.
The largest proportion of playhouses is not only a bridge between the inner courtyard and the outdoor park but also a variety of facilities that attract children to come here during school hours. Whether playing hide-and-seek or reading picture books, they can find the right "camp." The access houses connect the "valley" with the campus entrance and underground pick-up area, cleverly solving the height difference of the site and considering the privacy. The landscape staircase leads children to the "valley" of the fairy tale kingdom. The small learning house includes a sound and body room, professional classrooms, etc. The bright and transparent indoor environment allows children to learn and grow happily in a fun and educational environment.
