Revolutionizing Kindergarten Design: The CIFI Donut

Hu Sun's Innovative Approach to Integrating Architecture and Landscape

The CIFI Donut is not just a kindergarten, it's a revolution in design. The core concept of the design is a "Donut," a circular space that encourages children to run freely, enhancing their physical exercise and natural instincts. The main space houses a tree, a symbol of childhood memories, around which children can play and explore. The rooftop space adds an extra dimension, giving children the feeling of playing in the air.

What sets the CIFI Donut apart is its integration with the surrounding residential community. A third of the outdoor space is on the building's roof, creating a close relationship between the architecture and the landscape. The ring structure of the outdoor space is enriched by connecting various levels, stimulating three-dimensional activity and integrating interior and outdoor spaces.

The realization of this design was no easy feat. The entrance roof's tapered beam hides the thick structural parts, making the roof appear lighter. A decorative ring reduces the number of columns required for stabilizing the slide, presenting a more spiral visual sense. This design element overlaps with the traffic system of the flying gallery, forming a unique visual feeling.

The CIFI Donut covers an area of 4,172 square meters, with a landscape design area of 6,773 square meters. The design was realized between May and October 2019 in Hefei, China. The project involved a high degree of integration between architecture and landscape, requiring frequent inter-professional communication to solve the contradiction between the structure, kindergarten design specification, and space creativity.

Through a network questionnaire survey conducted via WeChat, Hu Sun and his team gathered data from three groups: children, parents, and teachers. The results of this research were used to improve the spatial function of the kindergarten. The CIFI Donut is an activity place full of fun and educational significance, combining the sales space with the education space.

In conclusion, the CIFI Donut represents a significant step forward in kindergarten design. Its innovative approach to integrating architecture and landscape has not only won it the Silver A' Landscape Planning and Garden Design Award but also set a new standard for future kindergarten designs.