It is extremely difficult for individuals or institutions to launch a kindergarten in China since the land policy. The owner and his wife are outstanding preschool educators. They hope to establish a real world-leading kindergarten in China. However, this old office building with poor sunlight is the only possible site for them.
The original structure resembled a liner. It had limited space and heavily relied on artificial lights, which was against the common expectations of kindergartens.
Out of the considerations of structural stability and costs, we have kept the entire structure and created an atrium running vertically through three stories. The design brings an experience of wandering in the woods, columns become trees and beams become bridges to form abundant spatial effects.
"Tree houses" provide private spaces for children to read and do handwork. Such design guarantees that all classrooms receive natural light from both sides. The third floor provides a combination of indoor and outdoor activity areas connected by a plastic track.
The kindergarten thoughtfully considers the needs of children at 2-6. The facilities are benchmarked against the needs of children at 2-6, and distinguish between those for children at 1.5-3 and those for children at 3-6. Classrooms adopt soft colors and materials, creating a home-like space where child can fully express their potentiality. The design of the kindergarten has been drawing on the Montessori concepts and principles. Besides safety, we give freedom back to children.
It's exciting that this kindergarten is now the best one in south China.
All the information about how to enter the 2020 WIN Awards is here.
We are very happy to offer support so please don’t hesitate to email Georgia, WIN Awards Event Coordinator with any questions at Georgia.Baily@haymarket.com.
Last year more than 40 countries took part in the WIN Awards with strong showings from Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. And we saw some truly outstanding interior designs, take a look at the winners from last year here.