Platinum Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2021
Wandering in the Woods Kindergarten
- A' Design Award 2021 Platinum Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2021
- CLIENT: L and M Design Lab
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 481,069
- Verification code 1E152947C8 · Verify this award
About Wandering in the Woods Kindergarten
Wandering in the Woods is a kindergarten interior designed for children aged two to six. The original building had limited space and relied heavily on artificial light. For reasons of structural stability and cost, the design keeps the entire structure and inserts an atrium that runs vertically through three stories, so all classrooms receive natural light from both sides. Columns become trees and beams become bridges. Continuous stairs and slides spiral around the columns and connect the spaces. Tree houses offer quiet areas for reading and handwork.
Wandering in the Woods Kindergarten by Liu Jinrui presents an exemplary achievement in contemporary educational architecture that reimagines the institutional learning environment as a landscape of discovery and sensory engagement. The design appears to draw upon biophilic principles that seek to reconnect children with natural forms and materials within an interior setting, transforming circulation into an experiential journey through carefully calibrated spatial sequences. The central spiral staircase emerges as both functional connector and sculptural protagonist, its flowing form suggesting the meandering paths one might encounter wandering through a forest, while organic turf islands at ground level evoke clearings within a woodland landscape. The predominantly white palette serves multiple purposes: maximizing the distribution of natural light from the generous skylight system, creating a sense of spatial expansion and calm, and providing a neutral backdrop against which the warmth of natural wood and the vitality of green elements can register with particular clarity. Liu Jinrui demonstrates sophisticated understanding of how children experience space differently from adults, offering multiple vantage points, visual connections between levels, and varied zones that support both communal gathering and individual exploration. The integration of warm wood tones throughout the staircase and balustrade systems introduces tactile warmth and material authenticity that grounds the otherwise ethereal whiteness in sensory reality. One might observe how the design balances safety requirements with aesthetic refinement, with glass balustrades maintaining sight lines while providing necessary protection. The viewer is invited to consider how architecture might shape early childhood experience, and whether spaces designed with such intentionality and care might cultivate particular qualities of curiosity, confidence, and wonder in their young inhabitants.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The design creates an atrium based on original structure and bring an experience of wandering in the woods. Columns and beams immediately become trees and bridges. Continuous stairs and slides spiral up around the "trees", connecting and activating spaces. "Tree houses" provide private spaces for children to read and do handwork.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 50000 mm x Depth 24000 mm x Height 15000 mm
- Tags
- kindergarten, atrium, woodland, columns and beams, tree house
- Production Technology
- A series of structure studies optimized the construction logic of the atrium. Columns and beams are transformed into trees and bridges. Continuous stairs and slides spiral up around the "trees", connecting and activating spaces. "Tree houses" provide private spaces for children to read and do handwork.
- Design Challenge
- 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 building with poor sunlight is the only possible site for them. It had limited space and heavily relied on artificial lights, which was against the common expectations of kindergartens.
- Project Duration
- Design: 2018.12 Construction: 2019.01-2019.07
- Operation Flow
- 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.
- Research
- Sunlight, soil and grass are all essential spatial elements to children's growth. Out of considerations of structural stability and costs, the design has kept the entire structure and created an atrium running vertically through three stories. Such design guarantees that all classrooms receive natural light from both sides. Through design, a poor building has become a lively kindergarten. It's exciting that this kindergarten is now the best one in south China.
- Inspiration
- The original structure resembled a liner with limited space and poor sunlight. Out of considerations of structural stability and costs, the design keeps the entire structure and create an atrium running vertically through three stories. The design guarantees that all classrooms receive natural light from both sides. Columns become trees and beams become bridges to form abundant spatial effects. Taking advantage of the original structure, the atrium transforms the "liner" into a "woodland."
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Photographer Hu Yijie, The artium, 2019. Image #2: Photographer Hu Yijie, Children playing under the slide, 2019. Image #3: Photographer Hu Yijie, Atrium, Stairs and Slides, 2019. Image #4: Photographer Hu Yijie, Cozy Classrooms with Light from Both Sides, 2019. Image #5: Photographer Hu Yijie, Transparent Glass Doors Avoid Damage to Children, 2019.
Colors of Wandering in the Woods Kindergarten
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