▲ Aerial view
Located in the Wujun District of Taihu Lake New Town, Suzhou, this newly developed residential area borders the eastern waters of Taihu Lake to the southeast, offering a pleasant environment and picturesque scenery. Wujun Kindergarten is the first educational facility established here, spanning 12,527 square meters and accommodating 27 classes over nine tracks.
▲ Aerial view
Vibrant Childhood
The surrounding residential buildings mainly feature two color schemes: gray-white and earthy yellow. The architect believed these tones did not reflect the beauty of the lake. To brighten the lakeside environment, they introduced vibrant colors to inject vitality into the community. This approach also helps residents easily identify the kindergarten as a focal point amid the gray and yellow concrete high-rises.
▲ Surrounding gray and yellow buildings
The design draws inspiration from a series of works by renowned British contemporary artist Howard Hodgkin. His expressive color blocks evoke visions of bright sunshine and stunning lakeside views. Inspired by this, the architect gifted the urban space and children with vibrant color blocks.
Works by Howard Hodgkin
▲ “Big Gift Box”
The kindergarten entrance showcases lemon yellow, orange red, and grass green hues. The main teaching units are stacked three stories high, each forming a colorful block with adjacent units distinguished by different colors. Light accents complement the main palette on the east and west facades, with strip windows framed by poles painted in matching colors. Using various shades within the same color family creates a layered, rich visual effect without overwhelming the senses.
▲ Main entrance
▲ Night view of the main entrance
▲ Entrance perspective
▲ East facade of standard teaching unit
▲ Staircase
Children perceive colors differently than adults. While vibrant colors may sometimes overwhelm adults, children naturally absorb and delight in the joy they bring.
Facing the Sun to Grow
The project site is shaped like a right-angled trapezoid, with the north, west, and south sides meeting at right angles. The west boundary aligns closely with the north-south axis, while the east side slopes diagonally. The architectural layout needed to accommodate nine classrooms within limited space. A three-row, three-story building design proved optimal for the site, balancing classroom size, activity spaces, and a central playground.
However, connecting the three rows with a north-south corridor created an issue: self-shading of the eastern classrooms. To solve this, the architect rotated the entire building layout about 10 degrees, aligning the corridor parallel to the eastern slope. This adjustment improved sunlight exposure for classrooms and playgrounds, reduced shading, and expanded the entrance area by increasing the distance from the northernmost building to the front road. This design breathes life and sunlight into the kindergarten’s spaces.
▲ General layout plan
▲ Aerial rendering
Flexible and Integrated Design
The three parallel classroom rows run north to south, aligning with the kindergarten’s class structure and offering flexibility in grouping students. For instance, the small, medium, and large classes can be organized by floor or segmented across the three buildings. This flexibility allows the kindergarten to adapt to changing needs over time.
▲ Standard teaching unit interior
▲ Music and Physical Education classroom interior
▲ Standard teaching unit bathroom
Childhood Moments Surrounded by Colorful Gift Boxes
The large playground on the west side serves as the central space for the kindergarten, framed on three sides by multifunctional music and physical classrooms, corridors, and teaching units. Curved partial walls enhance the feeling of enclosure, while the vibrant colors echo the theme of the building, resembling three colorful gift boxes surrounding children as they run, jump, and play.
▲ West playground
▲ Night view of the inner courtyard
▲ View from the West Playground
▲ Inner courtyard perspective
Material Details with Precision
The kindergarten’s exterior is clad in aluminum panels. By carefully controlling the depth and layering of these panels relative to the structural walls, the architect achieved a dynamic facade rich in detail. The interplay of large and small forms, grooves highlighting floor divisions, the hooked edges of strip windows, and other fine details showcase a meticulous approach to material expression.
▲ South facade of standard teaching unit
▲ North facade of standard teaching unit
▲ Wall detail
Design Drawings:
▲ Location Map
▲ Underground Floor Plan
▲ First Floor Plan
▲ Second Floor Plan
▲ Third Floor Plan
▲ Roof Plan
▲ Elevation View
▲ Section View
Project Details:
Design Firm: Qidi Design Group Co., Ltd
Official Website: www.tusdesign.com
Lead Architect: Li Shaofeng
Location: Taihu Lake New Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province; west of Fuqu Street, south of Yuanbo Street, north of East Taihu Lake Road.
Building Area: 2,050 square meters (BIM design) plus 3.5 square meters
Design Period: 2014–2017
Completion Date: 2019
Architectural Design Team: Chen Sulin, Fang Biao, Wu Jie, Wang Xiang, Xia Yu, Zhang Zhijun
Structural Design Team: Yuan Xuefen, Zhang Zhigang, Chen Guang, Kong Cheng
Equipment Design Team: Zhuang Yuezhong, Wu Weiping, Zhou Xiuteng, Zhang Guangren
Exterior Design: Li Desheng, Yang Fei
Landscape Design: Zhang Yixin
Photography: Zhang Chao
Structural System: Reinforced concrete frame structure
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