In 2017, inspired by the concept of “intergenerational integration” combining elderly and young generations, Lecheng Group commissioned MAD Architectural Firm to design a kindergarten adjacent to a retirement community in Beijing. The project spans 9,275 square meters and includes a traditional three-courtyard house, a replica courtyard house from the 1990s, and a modern four-story building on the original site. Completed by the end of 2019, the kindergarten now accommodates 390 children aged 1.5 to 6 years.
Reflecting on the kindergarten I attended as a child and those I’ve seen since, I wondered what matters most to children, said Ma Yansong. He believes it is freedom and love. While kindergartens do not need extravagant facilities, they must foster a sense of freedom and affection, providing children with limitless opportunities for growth and development.
MAD chose to remove the antique-style courtyard outside the original site, creating a new space that captures the essence of the courtyard in the palm of one’s hand—both facing and connecting to it. This new space unfolds gently and at a low height, embracing the traditional quadrangle courtyard. The strict, ordered layout of the ancient courtyard contrasts and harmonizes with the fluidity of the new construction. This interplay between old and new, across different eras, allows the architecture to breathe new life while preserving history.
△ Design analysis
△ Axonometric diagram
The newly constructed “floating roof” unifies previously disconnected sites into one cohesive space. This two-story outdoor platform creates an otherworldly experience. In historic Beijing, aside from the Forbidden City’s iconic red walls and yellow tiles, most alleys are lined with blue bricks and gray tiles. In contrast, the rooftop platform here bursts with vibrant, warm colors, resembling the surface of Mars—imbued with a sense of magic. MAD aims to transport visitors beyond the familiar landscape of Beijing and even Earth, encouraging an objective and imaginative reflection on the flow of history from a different time and space.
Children are drawn to the rooftop’s undulating terrain, where they can run and interact freely. Surrounded by the vivid “Mars” landscape, the traditional courtyard, ancient trees, and open sky, these young minds are inspired to explore and imagine endless possibilities.
MAD designed three courtyards surrounding several old trees on the original site. Slides and stairs within these courtyards connect the first and second floors, creating a seamless flow. These outdoor spaces complement the traditional quadrangle courtyard, providing natural light, ventilation, and an extended environment for learning.
According to Ma Yansong, old Beijing is full of “gaps”—tunnels, roofs, courtyards—that reflect an Eastern philosophy of nature. In this context, nature takes center stage, with buildings arranged around it. These courtyards embody the harmony of nature, heaven, earth, and human life, forming the core of the architecture.
Inside, transitioning from the second floor to the first, the atmosphere becomes warm and inviting. To accommodate children’s sensitivity to scale and comfort, a modular aluminum grille ceiling is installed, lowering the perceived ceiling height and adding warmth. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls allow sunlight to flood the interiors and offer close views of the ancient quadrangle courtyard outside. Here, nearly three centuries of history between old and new buildings become a tangible, three-dimensional experience.
The east side of the lobby features a cleverly designed transitional space leading from the first floor to the basement—a small theater surrounded by shelves filled with Chinese and English picture books. This theater stage also serves as the entrance to the indoor sports hall, which spans two levels. The sports hall functions as a versatile space for children’s classes and for hosting art and sports events throughout the school year.
The west side of the lobby leads to the learning area, designed with an open and flowing layout that fosters a free and inclusive atmosphere. Mixed-age groups learn together without enclosed walls, instead separated by curved walls that align with the building’s structural supports. This streamlined design creates varied spatial densities and scales. The borderless learning environment, abundant reading spaces, and play-centered curriculum enrich children’s interactions and optimize teaching and learning experiences.
The three courtyard house, connected via courtyards and corridors, serves as a space for children’s extracurricular cultural, artistic, and creative activities, and also houses the kindergarten’s administrative offices. The historic trees, courtyards, eaves, bricks, and tiles in the quadrangle courtyard evoke a timeless atmosphere that transcends a single lifetime, inspiring children’s curiosity and deepening their appreciation of history.
Multiple architectural elements from different historical periods, some seemingly unrelated or even contradictory, coexist authentically and harmoniously. They interact to create an atmosphere of openness and richness, allowing children to develop an objective and genuine understanding of their surroundings. Appreciating nature and history fosters inclusivity in new spaces, helping to shape shared values and community identity.
△ Roof model
△ Indoor model
△ Plan view
Project Information
Project Name: Lecheng Siheyuan Kindergarten
Location: Beijing, China
Project Duration: 2017–2020
Site Area: 9,275 square meters
Building Area: 10,778 square meters
Lead Architects: Ma Yansong, Party Masses, Yokosuke Hayano
Design Team: He Wei, Fu Changrui, Xiao Ying, Fu Xiaoyi, Chen Hongbin, Yin Jianfeng, Zhao Meng, Yang Xuebing, Kazushi Miyamoto, Dmitry Seregin, Zhang Long, Ben Yuqiang, Cao Xi, Ma Yue, Hiroki Fujino
Owner: Lecheng Group Co., Ltd.
Architectural Design: MAD Architecture Firm
Class A Design Institute: China Academy of Building Research
Interior Design: MAD Architecture Firm, Mushroom Cloud Design Studio
Landscape Design: MAD Architecture Firm, Yilan (Beijing) Planning and Design Co., Ltd.
Lighting Consultant: Umi Lighting Design Co., Ltd.
Ceiling Research and Development: Shanghai Siyou Metal Materials Technology Co., Ltd.
Lecheng Siheyuan Kindergarten is a non-profit educational institution affiliated with Lecheng Education, committed to the mission of enabling every child to enjoy a positive and beautiful life. As a sister school of Lecheng International School, it embraces the “Lecheng Preschool Learning Method,” tailored specifically for children. The program focuses on the “Four Skills”: enabling every child to live well, be a good person, learn effectively, and create freely—preparing them for diverse and personalized educational opportunities in the future.
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up