Yuhua Kindergarten is located on Changzhi Island in the Dinghai District of the Zhoushan Municipality. This three-story building incorporates a total area of 14,487 sqm with 18 classrooms for children from 18 months to 6 years. The project, led by GOA, integrates architecture and landscape design to create a healthy, dynamic, and vibrant environment for children. It is committed to preserving the blossoming of curiosity, vitality, and creativity in the hearts of all children by providing an environment conducive to their development.
The project adopts an O-shaped layout with a courtyard in the center. On the northwest corner is the main entrance, which provides access to the main road. At the south and east interfaces, a 30-meter plastic jogging track, a sandpit, a playground, and a soccer field are installed as additional outdoor activity spaces. The architectural style is robust and dynamic. Its sloping roof echoes the neighboring buildings to create a continuous urban skyline. In contrast to the concise expression of the façade, the interwoven spatial composition reveals the complexity of the design.
The circulation system integrates multiple functional areas into a unified whole, improving the walking experience and circulation efficiency. A 3D-integrated circulation system is proposed to foster the vitality and curiosity of children. The looping paths expand vertically through levels and connect classrooms, activity areas, and the roof garden, allowing children to move along a circular course and run between corners. Children may follow as many distinct play paths as they prefer. On upper levels, vertical circulation nodes are transformed into terraces that serve as pocket playgrounds to accommodate additional activity areas. There are classrooms on the first through third floors at the intersection of the building's south and east interfaces. Each classroom has a specific theme, such as building blocks, STEAM, baking, or drama. Children are encouraged to discover each path and be surprised by the variety of scenes they encounter as they explore various spaces.
The design prioritizes the implementation of site safety, functional diversity, and spatial integrity based on children's physical and mental development characteristics. The enclosed design creates a courtyard playground in the center, which serves as a gathering place for activity and offers an introverted space for adequate childcare. Under the eaves, a corridor connects multiple functional areas and eliminates the spatial separation caused by the enclosure. The stilt floor enhances the openness and luminosity of the interface. The animal footprint-patterned pavement combines multiple materials and extends from outdoor gardens to classrooms, further integrating the exterior and interior spaces.
Children are environmentally sensitive. In addition to providing a fun environment, the kindergarten fosters an atmosphere conducive to learning. Children are encouraged to become active explorers by responding to the surrounding space, nature, colors, and materials. The intertwined placement of gardens and playgrounds encourages children to explore the natural environment while playing. The landscaping greenery and playing facilities, such as tree houses, climbing bridges, and interactive waterscapes, are customized to the various shapes and scales of the outdoor spaces. The building’s translucent interface introduces the courtyard landscape inside, allowing children to observe changes in nature from multiple heights and providing teachers with a broader field of view for childcare. While adapting to multifunctional flexible learning spaces, the simple spatial layouts and vibrant color tones evoke a sense of comfort. Classrooms' design incorporates natural light to enable children to play with the shifting sunspots and shadows.
