▲ Children running and playing on the ‘runway’ © Wushan
Introduction: This project features Guishan Garden, the first kindergarten education group in Yuxi City, Yunnan Province (hereafter “Yiyou Guishan Garden”). Formerly known as Yunnan Yuxi Youth Sports College (“Youth Sports School”), it boasts a 45-year history. As a key public welfare initiative in Yuxi City celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China and aligned with the “14th Five Year Plan” urban renewal strategy, Yiyou Guishan Garden exemplifies the innovative reuse of idle urban educational assets. Its renovation avoids large-scale demolition, embraces children’s unique characteristics, and integrates ecological elements, highlighting the new role of public kindergartens.
Location: A Sports and Ecological City The project is situated in Hongta District, Yuxi City, Yunnan Province. Yuxi enjoys a year-round spring-like climate and boasts stunning natural scenery, including Fuxian Lake—renowned for its “sky-like” beauty—Nanuo Terraced Fields, and the Ailao Mountain “Animal Kingdom.” The city is also recognized as the “National Swimming Town” and “National Softball Town,” serving as a national sports industry contact point. Notably, it hosted the 16th Yunnan Provincial Games on August 8, 2022.
▲ Project location analysis schematic © Thought sequence
▲ The site is embedded within a dense urban fabric © Thought sequence
At the end of 2020, following the relocation of the Youth Sports School to a new district, the original site was repurposed. The aim was to establish Yuxi City’s first public preschool demonstration park, integrating school-enterprise cooperation and group education.
▲ Original status of the Youth Sports School before renovation
Revitalizing Idle Educational Assets | Renewal Strategy Addressing the challenges of limited time, heavy tasks, and budget constraints, the renewal strategy balances preservation and renewal. Following policies to revitalize idle urban assets, the plan adopts “overall preservation and upgrading combined with partial demolition and new construction.” The original swimming pool, martial arts hall, and table tennis hall were preserved and restored. Preschool classrooms were renovated and modernized. The badminton court was converted into a parking lot, while the original tennis court was dismantled to accommodate a new preschool teaching building integrated into the overall layout.
▲ Original condition of the Youth Sports School prior to updates © Thought sequence
▲ Renovated environment of Yiyou Guishan Garden © Thought sequence
▲ Post-renovation, Yiyou Guishan Garden harmoniously integrates into the urban fabric © Wu Qingshan
The new preschool teaching building is a three-story structure featuring a semi-enclosed form with gentle curves. Its pure white and natural wood tones complement the lush greenery. The semi-enclosed design opens onto the activity courtyard, creating a visual and spatial connection between indoor and outdoor areas.
▲ The new building opens onto the courtyard in a semi-enclosed shape © Wu Qingshan
▲ Seamless visual integration between interior and exterior spaces © Wu Qingshan
Transforming the Original Runway into an Elevated Corridor | Design Highlight A signature feature of this park is the transformation of the traditional ground runway into an elevated aerial corridor. The expansive lawn of the former Youth Sports School is preserved, with raised walkways connecting buildings and outdoor spaces. This aerial corridor serves as a multifunctional platform for activities, play, and observation, enriching the functional possibilities of the buildings and fostering a dynamic, three-dimensional environment for living and learning.
▲ Functional stratification analysis of the park © Thought sequence
▲ The aerial corridor connecting the entire park © Wu Qingshan
▲ Track and field of the Youth Sports School before renovation
▲ Post-renovation: runway elevated above ground © Wu Qingshan
▲ Before renovation, the runway was detached from the building
▲ After renovation, the “runway” extends directly to the teaching building corridor © Wu Qingshan
The aerial corridor now extends seamlessly to the teaching building. Originally designed with widened sections to facilitate children’s movement, these areas have been repurposed into outdoor dining spaces. Children enjoy meals outside, with colorful rain boots neatly lined up by the platform, creating a lively and charming atmosphere.
▲ The widened corridor now functions as an outdoor dining area © Wang Tao
Children dining outdoors amid colorful rain boots, creating a vivid and joyful scene © Wang Tao
On sunny days, sunlight filters through the gaps in the grilles, creating shifting patterns of light and shadow. The spatial variations, interplay of brightness and darkness, and the overlapping of time and space immerse children in a warm, dynamic environment.
▲ Renovated environment of the former Youth Sports School
▲ The kindergarten is bathed in warm, dynamic light and shadow, enriching the children’s experience © Wu Qingshan
▲ Vibrant changes of expansion and contraction bring life to the space © Wu Qingshan
Secluded yet Spacious | Contextual Integration Located within a densely populated residential and cultural district at the city center, adjacent to Yuxi Museum and Nie’er City Park, the park is immersed in a rich cultural atmosphere. To honor this, the design integrates the park seamlessly into its surroundings. The teaching building facing the urban street is discreetly tucked behind tree canopies, while a connecting corridor forms the main campus entrance. The recessed entrance plaza provides ample space to ease congestion during morning and evening drop-offs.
▲ Main entrance of the Youth Sports School before renovation
The recessed entrance creates a spacious plaza for smooth pedestrian flow © Wu Qingshan
▲ The campus is discreetly nestled behind street trees © Wu Qingshan
Children gaze out from the corridor toward the street © Wu Qingshan
Upon entering, visitors are greeted by the park’s expansive “Green Hall,” a large atrium featuring lawns, trees, green islands, sand, gravel, and slides—creating an inspiring natural play environment.
▲ The lush green atrium reveals itself after passing through the entrance porch © Wu Qingshan
Restoring the Kindergarten’s Original Character | Design Concept Embracing minimal intervention, the design seeks to “restore the original scenery of the kindergarten.” Emphasizing vast green spaces, ecological environments, and simple, natural materials, the project reconnects with nature and life’s origins. This ecological green space aligns with nearby Nie’er City Park, creating a green “ventilation hole” that alleviates urban density pressures in the city center.
▲ The courtyard forms a green “breathable hole,” easing urban density © Wu Qingshan
The ideal kindergarten in Zhongyuan unfolds with a wide lawn, gentle hills, and towering trees, where children freely run and play around the natural landscape.
Children playing around a large tree on the grassy slope © Wu Qingshan
▲ Breakdown of outdoor children’s activity zones © Thought sequence
The courtyard’s “Green Island” is a forest leisure zone combining micro-landscapes with trees. The terrain design, integrated with children’s running and exploration paths, enriches the space’s functionality. The courtyard includes water and sand pools—natural play elements irresistible to children. The western forested area will mature with the garden, providing a lasting natural companion and cherished childhood memories.
▲ Ecological grassy slope beneath the forest canopy © Wu Qingshan
▲ Forest courtyard on the west side © Wu Qingshan
Multifaceted Sports Spaces Promote Children’s Health In line with the national emphasis on integrating sports and education, large-scale sports areas in kindergartens are increasingly popular. Yiyou Guishan Garden features a 5,000-square-meter outdoor sports field and a 250-meter connected aerial runway. Two staircases and a slide link the corridor and building directly to the outdoor play area, encouraging children to engage in continuous chasing and climbing activities.
▲ 250-meter aerial runway © Wu Qingshan
▲ Children joyfully running on the elevated ‘runway’ © Wu Qingshan
▲ Vertical and horizontal connectivity creates seamless indoor-outdoor interaction © Wu Qingshan
The space’s vertical and horizontal connections foster continuous movement, encouraging children to run and play actively. This multi-dimensional environment significantly enhances physical activity, promoting healthy development.
▲ Renovated sports facilities of the former Youth Sports School
▲ Former gray space transformed into a vibrant 30-meter straight runway © Wu Qingshan
Bright and Inviting Interiors | Warm Atmosphere The kindergarten’s interior spaces are bright and spacious, complementing the outdoor environment. Each activity classroom consists of an activity room, lounge, and kindergarten restroom. Large windows allow abundant natural light, while operable windows ensure effective ventilation.
▲ Bright and warm indoor environment © Wu Qingshan
▲ Exploded diagram of the activity classroom layout © Thought sequence
▲ Exploded diagram of the activity classroom layout © Thought sequence
The friendly round wooden arches and circular exploration windows add softness and playful character to the space. Furnishings primarily feature wood and white tones, complemented by soft materials such as carpets, curtains, and wall decorations. This creates a cozy, home-like teaching environment tailored for young children.
▲ Friendly, rounded wooden arch © Wang Tao
▲ Circular exploration window full of playful charm © Wang Tao
Conclusion
On September 6, 2021, Yiyou Guishan Garden officially opened its doors. Children now enjoy the freedom to explore an ecological, natural, warm, comfortable, well-equipped, and child-friendly environment. The park strikes a harmonious balance between old and new, radiating vitality through dynamic spatial expansion and contraction.
▲ The park’s location reflects a dynamic balance between tradition and modernity © Wu Qingshan
Contrasting with the common trend of kindergartens being isolated and overly stylized with strong human intervention, Yiyou Guishan Garden embodies a philosophy of boundless freedom and natural integration. It blends seamlessly into the city and environment, featuring a rich inner world with a calm exterior. It represents a part of the city, a part of nature, and the most pristine, ideal kindergarten landscape.
▲ Night view of the garden © Wu Qingshan
As night descends, the garden’s soft lighting creates a gentle and peaceful atmosphere, quietly watching over the city and nurturing children’s laughter and innocence.
Project Drawings
△ Texture after renovation
△ First floor plan
△ Second floor plan
△ Third floor plan
△ Roof plan
△ Elevation drawing
Project Details
Architectural Design: Shanghai Sixu Architectural Planning and Design
Area: 16,700 m²
Project Year: 2021
Photographer: Wu Qingshan
Manufacturers: Toshiba, Quantong, Xingfa, Taizhou Hongfa, Dulux, OPPO, Yonggu Weihua, Jiefu, Moganshan, Siemens, Fushuo, Marco Polo, Longpai
Lead Architect: Wang Tao
Design Team: Chen Lifeng, Qu Haiwen, Tang Jie, Li Jian, Lu Qin, Yu Qian, Shao Rui, Ling Jie, Han Wei
Owner: Yunnan Yuxi First Kindergarten Education Group
Collaboration Unit: Yuxi Comprehensive Design Institute
Cost Consultant: Yunnan Haoren Engineering Cost Co., Ltd.
Supervision Unit: Yunnan Century Yongli Engineering Management Consulting Co., Ltd.
Construction Unit: Yuxi Maqiao Construction Group Co., Ltd.
Location: Yuxi City, China
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