Apple Bear Park Commercial Space Design

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Apple Bear Park, an early education center for preschoolers, aims at arousing children’s learning interest. The design is soft and comfortable without any artificial limits, thus providing an unconstrained environment for children to learn and play as well as cultivating their learning ability from a young age.

Dimensions & Packaging

The total floor area covers 398 square meters. The whole space is designed from the perspective of preschoolers, and all the chairs, door opening, stairs and teaching spaces are developed in line with children’s behaviour needs and physical sizes.

Tags

children, early education, purity, environmental protection

Production Technology

The whole space division centers around children’s diverse activities, and a combination of contrasting colors and natural materials creates a vibrant and balanced space. All the materials chose are environmental-friendly with soft and gentle texture. The central circular bookcase features Corian outside the metal frame, and the material helps to restore the design itself and ensures the unity of the form. The back panel structure is made of bfom translucent resin plates, which can transmit softer light and will not deform under prolonged light heating. The classroom walls are covered with wood grain LG films.

Design Challenge

The biggest challenge of the space design is to balance children’s psychology, parents’ aesthetics and practical needs of the space. Unlike commercial spaces such as restaurants and retail stores, early education center targets at a larger age group and needs to be safe and attractive. Thus we developed the 'PARK' design concept to integrate the whole space into one, instead of following the traditional design which separates the reading area and classrooms. In doing so, an open, free and interactive space is created. Each classroom has a French window with frosted glass film that suits the height of the children, allowing parents and teachers to observe without disturbing the learning process. The circular picture book area has both public seating and private rooms, giving children more choices when enjoy reading.

Research

Research has found that children need more psychological security than adults. Previous classrooms are designed in a closed manner to help children's concentrate, but a more open and transparent environment can enhance their focus. In terms of colour used, the more natural light green is adopted with streamlined curved surfaces without any brighter colour. The whole space shifts between an open activity area and a concrete cognitive space.

Inspiration

Apple Bear Park hopes to establish a warm and positive learning environment for preschoolers and develop plenty of cognitive interests. An open space mainly in burlywood, apple green and white colors is indispensable.

Project Duration

The project, located in Hexi District, Nanjing, Jiangsu province, kicks off and finishes the design in February 2021 and in March 2022 respectively. And the construction work is slated to begin in early May this year and draw an end four months later.

Operation Flow

Round holes help to connect each space and ensure a smooth transition through soft lines. The space starts with wood-colour curves, which resembles the entrance to the woods, capturing the children's imagination and desire to explore this mysterious journey. The designer has created a circular bookcase in the indoor activity area with staggered shelves forming multi-functional ladder platforms, and the bookshelf itself being connected to the “tree holes”. The functional classrooms are arranged in the central activity area with bright tunnels being formed through undulating curved surfaces.