Wusihe Central Kindergarten / Atelier Y

Wusihe Central Kindergarten / Atelier Y - Exterior PhotographyWusihe Central Kindergarten / Atelier Y - Exterior Photography, Facade, ConcreteWusihe Central Kindergarten / Atelier Y - Interior Photography, Kitchen, StairsWusihe Central Kindergarten / Atelier Y - Interior Photography, GlassWusihe Central Kindergarten / Atelier Y - More Images+ 17

  • Design Team: Yiqiang Xiao, Yizhi Xiao, Yanting Zou, Shi Yin, Qiaosheng Zhan, Yuanjing Yang, Zexu Zheng, Jin Huang, Zongpeng Zhang, Tian Qiu, Lili Huang, Feiya Huang, Zheng Li, Fangjie Guo, Shan Hai
  • Client: Wusihe Central Primary School, Hanyuan County
  • City: Ya'an
  • Country: China
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Wusihe Central Kindergarten / Atelier Y - Exterior Photography, Facade, Concrete
main entrance. Image Courtesy of Atelier Y

Text description provided by the architects. Wusihe Central Kindergarten is part of the One Foundation reconstruction program after the earthquake. Located in Wusihe township, Hanyuan county, Ya’an city of Sichuan province, it is the first public kindergarten in the township. Spread out on slopes of Dadu river tributary valley, the town is cluttered with buildings of mixed styles, without quality urban space. The design aims to insert the kindergarten as a brand-new feature to the town, to initiate enlightenment of its spatial character and to form a new spiritual and emotional center of the town; the child-friendly environment created will become a sanctuary of joy that children long for every day.

Wusihe Central Kindergarten / Atelier Y - Exterior Photography
the kindergarten and elementary school. Image Courtesy of Atelier Y

Mountains and platforms
The site is hidden behind shops and houses, accessible from the main road with a narrow strip of uphill trail. Our spatial strategy was to reinforce the mountainous feature. Two large platforms were organized in east and west based on the pre-existing site. The architecture massing is located in between, with layout surrounding the shared atrium, and ground floor and second floor connected with the two platforms respectively. Various levels of terraces and rooftop platforms convey the terrain topology in its architectural appearance.

Wusihe Central Kindergarten / Atelier Y - Image 22 of 22
axonometric
Wusihe Central Kindergarten / Atelier Y - Interior Photography, Handrail
roof activity platform. Image © South Arch

Aggregation and ascent
Due to site limitations, an L-shape aggregative layout was adopted. The architectural massing was deliberately elevated to become the high ground and visual focus of the site.

Wusihe Central Kindergarten / Atelier Y - Interior Photography, Stairs, Handrail
GF activity space. Image Courtesy of Atelier Y
Wusihe Central Kindergarten / Atelier Y - Interior Photography, Stairs
stairs to the outdoor space. Image © South Arch

Aggregation is further enhanced with the atrium, which becomes the spatial core of the entire building. Three stories of full-height atrium rise up to meet the skylight from above; intersecting and continuous clerestories bring in rhythmic sunlight. Sunshine is projected on walls painted with different colors in the morning and afternoon, highlighting the attribute of time in interior space. The spatial strategy of aggregation and ascent is also reflected in the exterior form with a strong sense of verticality. White façade contrasts with the greyish tone of the neighborhood, and bright colors on side walls are bursting with energy.

Wusihe Central Kindergarten / Atelier Y - Interior Photography
GF atrium and theater. Image © South Arch

Center and orbit
As the center of the entire architectural behavior, the atrium establishes the lateral and vertical connections of indoor and outdoor activities. With children’s characteristics in mind, experiential pathways of interactive orbits are designed on all floors, linking the atrium to the outdoor space. Only a handful of functional rooms are set on the ground floor. An annular track runs from the outdoor to the indoor. The audio room is located in the center of the atrium, forming a theatrical space together with multistep benches, to serve as the activity center shared by the kindergarten and the community.

Wusihe Central Kindergarten / Atelier Y - Interior Photography, Handrail
2F corridor. Image © South Arch
Wusihe Central Kindergarten / Atelier Y - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Stairs
2F corridor and activity space. Image © South Arch

Crisscrossing corridors on floors around the atrium turn into spatial games of sight and action. Orographic wind is introduced into the atrium through the architectural openings on all floors, combined with clerestories, forming comfortable microclimate with excellent ventilation and lighting.

Wusihe Central Kindergarten / Atelier Y - Interior Photography, Glass
3F atrium. Image © South Arch

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Project location

Address:Hanyuan, Ya'an, Sichuan, China

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Wusihe Central Kindergarten / Atelier Y" 16 Jul 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/943627/wusihe-central-kindergarten-atelier-y> ISSN 0719-8884

© South Arch

乌斯河镇中心幼儿园 / 东意建筑

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