Set against the scenic backdrop of Xinglong Lake, the design features a subtle intervention with a circular base. The white buildings create a pure, serene interface by the lake, seamlessly blending with their natural surroundings. As a dedicated art space in Chengdu, the Children’s Art Center fulfills the need for spaces that combine child-focused activities with artistic leisure.
Our goal was to cultivate a unique and vibrant artistic environment within the Children’s Art Center—one that inspires children’s innate creativity and imagination, allowing their artistic expression to soar freely along the shores of Xinglong Lake.
This space is a playful world of circles and squares, inspired by the fundamental elements of Suprematism. The square symbolizes stability and sparks children’s imaginative thinking, while the circle, as a rotation of the square, represents movement and activity—reflecting the dynamic and exploratory nature of children. The design invites visitors to “tear open the canopy” between these shapes, encouraging children to envision themselves flying freely through an infinite universe.
When selecting colors, we envisioned a lively, colorful world for children—not a dull gray and white space. Inspired by Suprematism, we chose red for the interiors, representing passion, energy, and boundless imagination. The roofs are painted blue, evoking the fantasy of soaring through the sky. Large expanses of white provide a simple, pure backdrop that preserves childlike innocence. Together, these colors create a clean, abstract environment that encourages endless creativity.
Functionally, the center is organized along three distinct flow lines: leisure, exhibition, and office. The exhibition spaces and the coffee office are housed in separate blocks, effectively dividing areas for children from those for adults. This separation ensures that children can enjoy a unique, pure, and engaging environment tailored just for them.
Using a consistent design language, large windows in both the exhibition and retail areas bring the outdoor landscape inside. The exhibition space faces the lake and captures stunning sunrise views, creating a seamless connection with the environment. Meanwhile, windows in the retail area offer extended views of children playing, enhancing visual depth and spatial experience.
The combination of a circular base with enclosed building forms creates a safe and welcoming environment for children. Artistic elements such as sculptures, fountains, and play areas are thoughtfully placed within the circular layout, enhancing the artistic ambiance and inviting visitors to linger. This design offers children not only spaces for activity and play but also opportunities to enjoy an engaging and enriching visual experience.
Project Drawings
△ Location Analysis
△ General Layout Plan
△ Underground Floor Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Streamline Diagram
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
△ Block Generation Diagram
Project Information
Architect: REL Architects
Area: 1,903 m²
Year: 2022
Photographers: Existent Architecture, Liang Wenyao
Principal Architect: Jin Hongduo
Design Team: Jin Hongduo, Wang Xinna, Wang Tingting, Yin Jin, Xiang Yue
Construction Drawing Design: China Southwest Architectural Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd., Li Lei, Peng Yuxuan
Project Principal: Chengdu Tianfu New Area Investment Group Co., Ltd
Engineer: China Southwest Architectural Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd
Landscape Design: Relative Architecture, China Southwest Architectural Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd
Construction Contractor: Chengdu Construction Engineering Group Co., Ltd
Location: Chengdu, China
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