Galaxy World Kindergarten, Designed with a U-shaped layout

Located in the heart of Xuanwu District, the project is close to Xuanwu Lake and two major roads of Nanjing. Initially, we consider how to make 5400m2 urban space a children’s tribe where they can feel natural and free to explore urban space.

Designed with a U-shaped layout, the kindergarten consists of 7 well-arranged “containers”, and each container is a living space of children’s tribe. These “containers” combining different theme spaces and public space for activities separate inner courtyard from outer one.

Twelve classrooms make up a miniature tribe of a city. We hope children can feel closer to nature, explore boldly, have fun and grow up healthy and free in this tribe. From the perspective of an innocent child who loves playing, architects design this special tribe to be a gift for this city.

Architects’ goal was to create a city in miniature for children, one which stimulated play and development. In the center of the U-shaped building lies an external courtyard. By incorporating water, activity space and a tree house, Nanjing Galaxy Kindergarten becomes a mini-world for imagination to thrive while also providing an outdoor space for the kids to get closer to nature.

It is also characterized by the children’s park that folds from ground level to the rooftop at the rear of the building. Creating a green space along the street, this intervention does not confine the kids, but allows them to run, climb, hide and explore. Positioning the park at the edge of the site also acts to create a connection between the kindergarten and the surrounding urban context.

The entrance of the kindergarten faces west, and a square area is designed as the waiting zone for drop-off and pick-up. On the opposite side to the park, this element also acts as a buffer between the building and street, making the new architecture a unique urban interface.

The two city interfaces, each for three boxes, the skyline and the wall line featuring “paper-folding” element, all these factors make a change to the city interface with some playfulness. In addition, the building does not over-render the architectural characteristics of the kindergarten, the color of large white and a small amount of wood color creates a rustic natural, modern simple architectural atmosphere. The choice of materials is very difficult, light gray rock plate is the final choice. Plenty of glazing, water and greenery are also utilized as key design features, resulting in an eye-catching place.

The aesthetic of the kindergarten is defined by the use of white and wood-colored elements, which are used to create a natural, modern and simple atmosphere. Plenty of glazing, water and greenery are also utilized as key design features, resulting in a place that brings nature into the built environment, providing the optimum space for children to grow.