Guancui International Kindergarten is situated in the Xiangmihu area of Futian District, Shenzhen. This project involved renovating an existing space with the goal of transforming it into a high-end educational facility centered on the EYFS teaching philosophy. The design was undertaken by VMDPE Roundway Design.
As a space dedicated to children’s learning and living, the activity areas are designed to be flexible, adapting over time to evolving teaching content. The teaching team plans to conduct a variety of educational activities here in the future, so providing ample adaptable space was a key focus of the design.
The main functional areas are located on the second and third floors, forming a square layout with abundant natural light. The first floor is relatively small and serves primarily as the main entrance, housing adult offices and external consultation areas.
The first floor has been designed by VMDPE Roundway to accommodate reception, security, negotiation, logistics, and medical functions. A centralized shoe-changing and storage area helps to isolate outdoor dust and prevent its spread. Additionally, the hall has been planned with enough space to facilitate children’s morning check-ins and gatherings during large events.
On the second floor, the main space features a circular open reading area illuminated by dimmable ceiling lights, creating a soft, comfortable environment ideal for indoor reading. Surrounding this central reading zone are classrooms dedicated to exploratory courses.
This floor is primarily composed of two interconnected circular areas. Moving through the public reading space leads to a larger circular area designated for children’s indoor activities. Surrounding this are eight main classrooms.
VMDPE Roundway has explored innovative ways to eliminate traditional corridors, based on the belief that corridors primarily serve as auxiliary spaces to manage order rather than encourage free exploration. In this project, circulation paths connecting classrooms have been carefully organized to integrate corridor areas into expansive activity spaces.
This design approach consolidates corridor spaces into open, multifunctional areas, reducing the cost of connecting separate rooms and enhancing the diversity and exploratory potential of the environment for children.
Around the central public activity area, there are dedicated information displays to keep parents and children informed about each classroom’s teaching activities. The space also includes a platform designed for amusement and theatrical performances, supporting diverse and dynamic educational content.
Each main classroom prioritizes ample natural light and ventilation, tailored to its orientation, along with full supporting facilities to provide children with a high-quality and comfortable learning environment.
The outdoor area is located on the third floor and offers a spacious activity zone with comprehensive facilities including a STEAM area, small farm, sand pool, and water play area. The third floor also houses a multifunctional hall designed for gatherings, stage performances, and dance rehearsals.
This project represents a return to fundamentals for VMDPE Roundway Design. The goal was to rethink kindergarten spatial design from a basic perspective, setting aside adult aesthetic preferences and focusing instead on creating a warm, sunlit, exploratory, and inclusive environment full of potential for future educational activities.
Technical Drawings
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
Project Information
Project Name: Guancui International Kindergarten
Location: No. 3012 Xiangmihu Road, Xiyuan, Futian District, Shenzhen, China
Design Period: April 2020 – July 2020
Construction Period: July 2020 – November 2020
Area: Indoor 1,630 m², Outdoor 700 m²
Status: Completed
Design Firm: VMDPE Roundway Design
Project Directors: Cheng Fengqi, Zhang Jian
Design Team: Wei Zhuren, Deng Jingyu, Lu Huan, Zheng Tong
Scope: Facade renovation, interior design, landscape design, lighting design, and prop design
Photography: Zheng Hangtian
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