Xianyang Gaoxin Cunzhi Kindergarten: A Colorful and Innovative Space for Children

Creating a Safe and Stimulating Environment

The inspiration behind this design is to create an entertaining and engaging space for children. Zhenyu Ji wanted to use simple forms of expression, colors, and elements that resonate with children's logical thinking. The goal was to provide a space where children can discover themselves, understand the world, interact with others, and improve themselves, all while feeling a sense of family, friendship, and love.

One of the standout features of the Xianyang Gaoxin Cunzhi Kindergarten is the use of colors. The designer extracted the colors yellow, blue, and green from the famous children's book "Little Yellow and Little Blue" and incorporated them as identifying colors throughout the kindergarten. These colors are used in the standard activity rooms and bathroom areas on each floor, helping children remember and distinguish the functional attributes of each space.

The design also prioritizes the safety of the children. The designer took advantage of the wall materials to create small round corners on the facade, making them easily accessible and minimizing the risk of accidents. This attention to detail ensures that children can freely explore the space without compromising their safety.

The Xianyang Gaoxin Cunzhi Kindergarten covers a total area of 8756 square meters, providing ample space for children to learn, play, and interact with one another. The design team, which includes Zhenyu Ji, Jie Xu, Haixiang Zhang, Guoming Wu, Jianwen Jiang, Yi Liang, and Xiao Qian, worked collaboratively to bring this vision to life.

Children are naturally curious and drawn to interesting spaces. The Xianyang Gaoxin Cunzhi Kindergarten offers numerous opportunities for exploration. The colorful shadows cast by the light from the top of the stairs, the multicolored glass, and the circular cavities on the walls create a sense of wonder and excitement. Additionally, transparent floors on the ground provide children with a unique perspective, encouraging them to discover hidden treasures within the space.

The project began in July 2019 in Xianyang and was completed in August 2020. Throughout the design process, the team conducted extensive research to ensure that the kindergarten not only provides a visually appealing environment but also supports excellent education. By avoiding overly concrete forms and using more natural materials, the designers created spaces that allow teachers to guide children's imagination and foster their creativity.

Safety was a key challenge in designing this kindergarten. The team recognized that young children tend to touch and bite everything around them. Therefore, they carefully selected materials that are green and non-toxic. Additionally, they rounded the corners of the spatial elements to minimize any potential harm.

The Xianyang Gaoxin Cunzhi Kindergarten is not only a place for learning but also a place for reading. The lobby is designed as a large reading area, filled with walls adorned with picture books. Children can sit, stand, lie down, or choose any comfortable posture to read or communicate. Different materials define different areas, allowing children to understand the space through visual and tactile experiences.

The Xianyang Gaoxin Cunzhi Kindergarten, with its innovative design and emphasis on safety and creativity, has been recognized for its excellence. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in 2021 for its outstanding interior space, retail, and exhibition design. This award acknowledges the kindergarten's contribution to improving the quality of life for children and making the world a better place.