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Architects: Spacework Architects
- Area: 3500 m²
- Year: 2015
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Photographs:Spacework Architects
Text description provided by the architects. The layout of original kindergarten building is a semi-closed C shape opened to east, two rows of classroom are connected by a corridor, thus create a public area in the middle. Before renovation, the most negative feeling is that the interior space is dark, views to outside is blocked out. The exterior playground is dull and limited, cannot provide sufficient support to kid's activities. The task of renovation design is focused on rebuilt the relation of exterior and interior space, promote its quality and the positive effect for gaming. That means from the pespective of children, the building is enjoyable, could stimulate their imagination, encouraging them to explore.
We start from reactivating the horizon and vertical connection of the interior space, make the existing network more connected, easy accessible and smoother, by clearing the public space and adding more extra path. Besides its basic function of circulation, the public space is turned to a playground. The peripheral space of the building is involved, the small spaces around are linked together. The indoor and outdoor space is connected, crossed. The isolated central yard become a hub in the pattern of circulation. The ground floor is made for public use only, the south facing solid wall is removed as much as possible to help view from inside to extend outside. the outdoor space is sheltered by fabric glass grid panel, become the out ring landscape of the building, and make the semi closed layout to complete one. Along the circulation path, many facilities, such as game, education and landscape, has been added in. A set of steel stairs and decks is add to the west facade, all the way up to the roof, which connect the corridors at three floors and terrace on the roof, creating more routes for play.
The central yard open to east, enclosed by building from the other three sides. On the west side, the three stores high curtain wall imply the inseparable relation between the interior atrium and the central yard. That corporation bring us a dramatic imagination, it is developed to a scene of theater. The wood panel wall, along the corridors at three floors, give the scene a of performance of light, with the holes cut from the panels. the courtyard and interior hallway, just like stage and seating area, will switch the roles, when lighting changed. The central yard finally earn its meaning as a center of the place.
The design concept of Blue Yard can be briefed to simple idea, which is the wish to give back the children a small and pure space, good for game, here and there, they could find some interesting items scattered around occasionally.
