(BIM Engineer)
Outdoor activity area facing the south facade © Hu Wenjie
Located at 28 Jialing Road in Shanghai’s Xuhui District, this kindergarten was originally a primary school. The exterior features light red imitation stone tiles paired with beige paint. The building remains structurally sound, retaining much of the original elementary school’s flow, spatial layout, and scale.
Old façade compared with the new façade
Comparison of new and original floor plans
The primary design strategy focused on reorganizing circulation. On the first floor, classrooms were extended into the corridor and inner courtyard areas, merging corridor space with classrooms to free up three classrooms from confined spaces. This arrangement creates an environment where the first-floor classrooms, inner courtyard, lobby, and new activity corridor surround the courtyard, fostering a stronger connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Children in the middle-grade classrooms can access their rooms through the inner courtyard. Classrooms near the entrance hall have direct entry via the hall’s background grille, while others connect through the active corridor between the courtyard and multifunctional hall.
(BIM training)
Corridor outside the multifunctional hall © Hu Wenjie
All restrooms originally located near the hallway were relocated to the south side of the classrooms. This change allows for natural light and ventilation in previously inaccessible areas, ensuring that every child-accessible space benefits from natural lighting and outdoor views.
Master plan
Second floor plan
Third floor plan
Fourth floor plan
Entrance hall © Hu Wenjie
A primary circulation path runs parallel to the entrance hall along the inner courtyard side of the multifunctional hall. It extends to the rear courtyard, then turns left, circling counterclockwise around dense greenery and site features before returning to the main entrance hall, forming a large circular route.
Courtyard corridor © Hu Wenjie
Central courtyard © Hu Wenjie
Another circulation route runs behind the multifunctional hall’s stage, perpendicular to the entrance hall. This passage can display children’s artwork and provides direct access to the outdoors, looping back via the space between the multifunctional hall and the main building. By turning clockwise, it leads back to the entrance hall.
These three winding, intersecting circulation paths energize the park’s spaces, creating dynamic connections and interactions throughout.
Technology Exhibition Area
Corridor outside the multifunctional hall © Hu Wenjie
At the intersection of the three circular pathways that symbolize the universe’s trajectory, space-themed installations, interactive sensing light walls, and biological specimen areas are featured. This continuous circular exploration path resonates with the dynamism of the technology-focused kindergarten.
The multifunctional hall’s ceiling, inspired by Noah’s Ark, resembles the Eye of the Universe or a spaceship descending from the sky, evoking boundless imagination.
Interior of the multifunctional hall © Hu Wenjie
The inner courtyard, enclosed by three classrooms and the adjacent active corridor, connects surrounding spaces through open, transparent floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows. This design stimulates energy throughout the building.
Greenery in the courtyard transitions seamlessly from the southern landscape through the classrooms, creating an intimate relationship between interior and exterior, as if the classrooms are nestled in nature.
Courtyard pool
View from the multifunctional hall corridor overlooking the courtyard © Hu Wenjie
Corridor window facade © Hu Wenjie
Courtyard © Hu Wenjie
View towards the entrance hall from the courtyard
Corridor integrated into classroom © Hu Wenjie
The design strips away unnecessary lines, corners, and decorations, favoring a predominantly white color palette. Large, randomly distributed floor-to-ceiling windows open up what was once a narrow, turning corridor.
This thoughtful arrangement allows children moving through the corridor to experience a more distinctive and engaging space, fostering visual interaction between the ground floor and its occupants.
A clean and bright campus
Extensible facade © Hu Wenjie
Facade facing the corridor
Campus semi-enclosed facade © Hu Wenjie
The differentiation of movement between floors is clearer, more dramatic, and independent, while the white color scheme encourages children’s curiosity, exploration, and sense of discovery.
Comparison of corridor facades © Hu Wenjie
School gate © Hu Wenjie
Window frame © Hu Wenjie
Small wooden house structure
Small wooden house floor plan
View of the small wooden house on the playground © Hu Wenjie
Project Information:
Architect: Yuan Xiuwan Architectural Firm
Address: 28 Jialing Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Design Year: 2017
Construction Year: 2018
Lead Designer: Yuan Xiuwan
Design Team: Yuan Xiuwan, Zou He, Wang Qingrui
Building Area: 4,000 square meters
Floor Area: 4,500 square meters
Architecture & Interior Design: Yuan Xiuwan Architecture Firm
Owner: Shanghai Xuhui Technology Kindergarten
Photography: Yuan Xiuwan, Hu Wenjie
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