Community Kindergarten
The Open Kindergarten is a key facility supporting the resettlement housing initiative in the Daniufang community. Completed in July 2021, the project spans 4,300 square meters and accommodates 360 children across 12 classes.
Why an Open Kindergarten?
Instead of confining children to individual classrooms, this design encourages collective activities across different classes and grade levels. This approach fosters social skills and helps children learn to integrate into groups from an early age.
Master Plan
The site is bordered by a street to the south, high-rise residential buildings to the east and north within the Daniufang community, and a future public green space to the west. To optimize sunlight and views, the building layout fans out, directing children’s living spaces towards abundant sunlight and the green area. Auxiliary rooms face the quieter east and north sides. The roof is designed as a green space to compensate for the limited ground-level greenery. A stepped outdoor theater on the roof channels natural southern light into the comprehensive activity space on the north side.
Floor Plan Design
Traditional kindergartens often use closed classroom models due to concerns about class size, safety, and hygiene. However, such designs can limit the holistic development of children. This project aims to transform the entire floor into a shared living and activity space for all children.
Each floor’s rooms are organized around a central public space, with class units connected by doors that can open fully. On bad weather days, the entire floor can transform into a spacious, open environment. Auxiliary rooms within each unit remain accessible within usage limits, and nap areas are integrated into the activity zones.
The central public space serves as a flexible atrium with skylights overhead. A multifunctional staircase doubles as a small theater where children can gather to chat, play, and perform, fostering community spirit and social awareness.
Facade Design
The kindergarten building consists of three floors. The twelve living units feature windows strategically placed to maximize natural sunlight and create a rhythmic facade pattern, ensuring optimal lighting and orientation for each space.
Six interconnected blocks are linked by curved, semi-outdoor balconies. These balconies feature hollow concrete block walls that create dynamic light and shadow effects within the interior spaces.
Project Drawings
△ Analysis Chart
△ General Layout Plan
△ Plan & Sectional View
Project Information
Client: Haidian District Education Commission, Beijing
Location: Haidian District, Beijing
Project Lead Designer: Zhang Yonghe
Project Team: Liang Xiaoning, Juechao, Zhang He
Design Collaboration: Beijing Weituo Era Architectural Design Co., Ltd
Base Area: 4,300 m²
Building Area: 4,980 m²
Building Height: 12.9 m
Structure: Reinforced Concrete
Design Period: 2019–2020
Construction Period: 2020–2021
Completion: 2021
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