North facade covered with glass bricks and concrete coatings. Image © Siyu Zhu

北面用玻璃砖和混凝土涂层覆盖。形象：朱思宇

架构师提供的文本描述。幼儿园是孩子们在家庭外遇到的第一个公共空间。尺度、灵活性和空间氛围对儿童的情感和认知发展起着重要作用。他们也提出了具有挑战性的任务，以鼓励儿童探索和学习，同时感到安全和舒适。在最初的研究中，设计团队发现，活动房间前面的走廊等非正式空间往往成为孩子们居住、互动和玩耍的重要场所。

Text description provided by the architects. A kindergarten is the first public space that children encounter outside of their homes.  Scale, flexibility, and spatial atmosphere play an important role to shape children's emotional and cognitive development.  They also present challenging tasks for the architecture to inspire children to explore and learn while feeling safe and comfortable. During the initial research, the design team found that informal spaces such as corridors in front of the activity rooms often become an important place for children to inhabit, interact and play.

 Surrounding environment. Image © Hao Chen

周围环境。形象名：郝晨

在万科实验幼儿园的设计中，程序、空间和环境的不稳定平衡是首要关注的问题。位于一个长而窄的三角形场地，中间有高架的中环线，南有一条河，北面有高密度的高层住宅，东边有一座车桥，西边是一间区域环线房。要建立一个由15个班级组成的全日制公立幼儿园，既能满足教育局的严格要求，又能对环境的各种限制作出反应，这个独特的地点就成了一个特殊的挑战。建筑师不仅要满足项目简介、区域要求、规划和安全规定，而且要创建一个适合教学和管理的新校园，同时鼓励孩子们的探索精神，满足家长的期望。(鼓掌)

In designing the Vanke Experimental Kindergarten, the precarious balancing of program, space and context were of the primary concerns.  Located in a long and narrow triangular site with the elevated Middle Ring Road and a river to the south, high-density high-rise residential buildings to the north, a vehicular bridge to the east, and to the west, a regional circuit room to be housed on site.  To create a full-time public kindergarten of 15 classes that matches the strict requirement of the education bureau while responding to the various constrains of the context, the unique site becomes a particular challenge.  The architect is not only expected to fulfill the project brief, area requirements, planning and safety regulations, but also to create a new campus that is appropriately designed for teaching and management while encouraging children's exploratory psyche and fulfilling parents' expectations.  

 Surrounding environment. Image © Hao Chen

周围环境。形象名：郝晨

 Site strategy

场地策略

 Four connected building volumes and curved roofs. Image © Hao Chen

四个相连的建筑和弯曲的屋顶。形象名：郝晨

一开始，这个团队尝试了各种方案，从紧凑的形式，到成堆的卷，以及庭院类型。在回顾设计时，刘先生问了一个关键的问题：“这个网站的最佳策略是什么？”最终，它又回到了解决与网站本身和周围环境有关的基本问题上。最后的方案是一个连续连接的四卷空间，每个空间装载不同的规划空间，并通过外部平台连接，可以看到外部景观。曲线屋顶的三层楼高的体积隐约类似于世界著名的卡通人物托马斯训练，通过现场和携带儿童的想象力到未来。

At the beginning, the team had tried various schemes, from compact form, to cluster of volumes, and courtyard typology. While reviewing the design, Mr. Liu asked a crucial question: “What is the best strategy for this very site?” Eventually, it went back to solving the essential problem of tackling with the site itself and the surroundings.  The final scheme is a serially connected four volumes of space, each loaded with different programmatic spaces and connected by exterior platforms with views towards outside landscape. The curve-roof three-storey volume vaguely resembles the universally famous cartoon character Thomas train, passing through the site and carrying children's  imagination into the future.

 Space strategy

空间战略

三角形场地西宽东窄。操场设置在东侧，它面对嘈杂的十字路口，充当街道和幼儿园之间的过渡。建筑体积可容纳场地的线性布局，并采用中央走廊进行更紧凑的布局。房间分布在南北两侧，中间有三个由西向东逐渐扩展的三角形中庭。活动室、卧室和办公室位于南侧，阳光明媚，景色宜人。其他辅助功能空间，包括大堂、特别活动室、楼梯、厕所等，均设于与主干道毗邻的北面。北卷和南卷分为四个部分，每个部分都有一些不同的扭曲，以回应城市和景观环境。

The triangular site is wider to the west and narrower to the east. The playground is set on the east side which faces the noisy intersection and acts as a transition between the street and kindergarten. The building volume accommodates the linear layout of the site, and adopts a central corridor for a more compact layout. The rooms are distributed on both north and south sides, and in the middle there are three triangular atriums gradually expanding from west to east. The activity rooms, bedrooms and offices are located in the south side with better sunlight and views. Other supporting functional spaces, including the foyer, special activity rooms, stairways, toilets, etc., are arranged on the north side adjacent to the main road. The north and south volumes are divided into four sections, and each section makes a little different twist to respond to the urban and landscape contexts.

 Friendly north facade street view. Image © Hao Chen

友好的北面街景。形象名：郝晨

 Sectional perspective

分段透视

 Triangle atrium skylight. Image © Hao Chen

三角形中庭天窗。形象名：郝晨

面对街道的北面高地尊重城市环境，同时保持一种嬉戏的感觉。外篱笆墙从场地边界退回多个地点，留下剩余的空间供过路人和父母等着接车，同时与城市共用绿地。围栏墙不仅作为安全措施，而且作为建筑物和街道之间的缓冲，为行人创造愉快的景观，并形成一个积极的连续界面。

The north elevation facing the street respects the urban context while maintaining a sense of playfulness. The external fence wall recedes back at multiple locations from the site boundary and leaves residual spaces for  passer-bys as well as parents waiting for picking up, while sharing the green spaces with the city. The fence wall is not only designed as safety measure but also as a buffer between building and street, creating pleasurable views for pedestrians and forming a positively continuous interface.

 Inward main entrance. Image © Hao Chen

向内正门。形象名：郝晨

为了更高的建筑景观，人们经常使用的楼梯井作为一个实用空间，但作为一种设计特征却很容易被忽视，在此将其表述为一种独特的视觉形式。多功能厅的弯曲墙结束了北面的立面，起到了向室外游乐场过渡的作用。在高度和材料的一致性方面，北侧界面调节街道的节奏，避免了狭小空间中连续体积造成的张力。幼儿园前面有高层住宅，为行人和儿童创造了友好的尺度，将可接近的界面和适当的室内空间扩展到街道上。

For the higher view of the architecture, the stairwells which are frequently used by everyone as a utility space but easily neglected as a design feature, are articulated here as a distinct visual form. The curving wall of the multifunctional hall terminates the north elevation and acts as a transition to the outdoor playground.  In the coherence of heights and materials, the north side interface regulates the rhythm of the street and avoids the tension caused by the continuous volume in the narrow space. With the high-rise residential buildings at the front, the kindergarten creates a friendly scale for the pedestrians and children alike, extending the approachable interface and appropriate scale of the interior space onto the street.

 Main entrance courtyard. Image © Hao Chen

正门庭院。形象名：郝晨

 Hallway and atrium space in front of the activity room. Image © Hao Chen

活动室前面的走廊和中庭空间。形象名：郝晨

该设计将一个办公集群和三个教学集群放置在朝河的南侧。尽管场地狭小，在建筑物和围墙之间还是留出了一个直线绿色的空间。东侧的空间转向一个角度，以获得最佳的自然阳光和宜人的景色，形成一个半封闭的三角形空间，与操场之间有一个动态的室外楼梯，将所有三层楼与室外操场连接起来。空间的南侧由室外走廊和平台连接，使周围的景观能够渗透到建筑物中。一楼、二楼和三楼的部分设计为有盖的室外游乐空间。(鼓掌)

The design places one office cluster and three teaching clusters on the south side towards the river.  And despite the narrow site, a linear green space is set aside between the building and the fence wall. The volume on the east turns an angle to get the best natural sunlight and the pleasant view, forming a half closed triangular space connected to the playground with a dynamic outdoor staircase in between, connecting all three floors with the outdoor playground. The south side of the volumes are connected by outdoor corridors and platforms, allowing the surrounding landscape to penetrate into the buildings.  Part of the ground floor and of the second floor and third floor were designed as covered outdoor play spaces.  

 The hallway in front of the activity room is children's social place. Image © Siyu Zhu

活动室前面的走廊是孩子们的社交场所。形象：朱思宇

中间形成三个三角形中庭，大小由西向东逐渐增大。该项目的核心空间分别是办公区的小三角形、活动区的两个中间空间和大型户外活动场所。中庭为孩子们提供了一个独特的形状和明亮的聚集空间。三角形天窗设置在中庭上方。阳光穿透明亮的洞口，并触及底层。随着走廊宽度的变化，光线和黑暗的逐渐相互作用，外部景色的微弱微光和半透明玻璃砌块墙过滤的柔和光线，创造了独特的空间氛围。除了中庭外，在多功能厅以及顶层的所有活动室都有巨大的圆形天窗，墙壁和地板上都有自然的光线。

Three triangular atriums are formed in the middle and the sizes gradually increase from the west to the east. Respectively, the small triangle for the office zone, the two middle for the activities zones and the large outdoor activities place in a row become the core spaces in this project.  The atrium presented the children with a uniquely shaped and lit gathering spaces. The triangular skylights are set above the atriums. Sunlight penetrates through the brightly-colored openings and touches the ground floor. Walking through the corridor with changing widths, the gradual interplay of light and darkness, the faint glimpses of the exterior views and the soft light filtered by the translucent glass block wall, a unique spatial atmosphere is created. In addition to the atriums, the huge circular skylights are also presented in the multi-function hall as well as all of the activity rooms on the top floor, with natural light raining down the walls and floors.

 The main stairwell is emphasized on the ground floor, enlarging activity and communication space. Image © Siyu Zhu

在底层强调主楼梯井，扩大活动空间和通信空间。形象：朱思宇

 Circular large skylight in the multi-function hall. Image © Hao Chen

圆形大天窗在多功能厅。形象名：郝晨

为了创造好玩的内部，不同的大小和类型的开口被创造出来。窗口模块涉及成人和儿童的维度。不同开口的结合为儿童和成人带来了不同的观察体验。

In order to create playful  interiors, various sizes and types of openings are created. The window modules relate to the dimension of both grown-ups and kids. The combination of different openings' bring diverse observation experience for children and adults alike. 

 Greenland & Building volume strung on the corridor. Image © Hao Chen

通过运用几个简单的材料组合，幼儿园的设计达到了人性化、谦逊和现代的氛围，并以清晰的方式传达了各种方案。材料间的相互作用呈现出一种多样而生动的印象：混凝土墙上的中国画感、半透明玻璃块的暗光、钛锌板的氧化作用、石板的触觉印。除了室内彩毡、木地板、木单板、操场的图形图案外，还创造了一个动态的学习环境，鼓励孩子们的创造力。

By applying a few simple material combination, the design of the kindergarten reaches a humanistic, modesty and modern ambiance and conveys the various programs in a clear manner. Interplay of materials presents a diverse and vivid impression: the sense of Chinese ink painting on the concrete wall, the dim light from the translucent glass blocks, the oxidized effect from the titanium zinc panels, the tactile impression from the stone washed slabs. Along with the indoor color felt, wooden floors and wood veneer panels, graphic patterns for the playground, a dynamic learning environment is created to encourage creativity from the children.

 Inward main entrance, leaving space for picking up children. Image © Siyu Zhu

内部正门，为接孩子留出空间。形象：朱思宇

Architects Atelier Liu Yuyang Architects

Location Huanke, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong district, Shanghai, China

Architect in Charge Yuyang Liu

Project Architect Congbao Wu

Area 6500.0 m2

Project Year 2017

Photographs Siyu Zhu, Hao Chen

Category Kindergarten