Dot Architects 度态建筑事务所

Vanke Early Learning Center

Vanke Early Learning Center
© Wu Qingshan
Vanke Early Learning Center
© Wu Qingshan

VANKE EARLY LEARNING CENTER

Dot Architects

ARCHITECTS
Dot Architects

MANUFACTURERS
Armstrong Flooring, Dulux

PHOTOGRAPHS
Wu Qingshan

AREA
600 m²

YEAR
2017

LOCATION
Qingdao, China

CATEGORY
Kindergarten, Refurbishment

dot Architects has designed a new early learning centre for Chinese developer Vanke. The project locates in Qingdao, China. The early learning centre is on the third floor of a former sales gallery.

Vanke Early Learning Center
© Wu Qingshan
Vanke Early Learning Center
© Wu Qingshan

As the main users of the educational place will be preschool children, we are looking for something between a classroom and a playroom. Taking their active lifestyles and level of cognition into consideration, the design strategy focuses on creating an open and colourful space.

Although it is still a hypothesis, that social interaction and unstructured play are vital for children’s development. An open space is required for such activities to happen.

Vanke Early Learning Center
© Wu Qingshan

Vanke Early Learning Center
© Wu Qingshan

A stage is defined as the reading zone instead of a library room. It can be used for free play during classes or as a theatre stage for special events.

We designed a scaled down children friendly house on top of the stage. The house is enclosed of wooden boxes which can be used to display books, plants or other exhibits. Children can sit and read anywhere, beside the table or on the stairs.

Vanke Early Learning Center
© Wu Qingshan
Vanke Early Learning Center
© Wu Qingshan

In order to create continuity in the space and to prevent a potential collision, the plan layout is defined with smooth curves.

Two oval shaped skylights are introduced into the space to bring in the natural light, as the south facing windows are occupied by classrooms.

Vanke Early Learning Center
© Wu Qingshan
Vanke Early Learning Center
© Wu Qingshan

Classrooms are categorized under different climate regions. Each region is represented with a theme colour and its signature animals.

It is a more efficient way for preschoolers to identify the classrooms than usual numbering system.

Vanke Early Learning Center
© Wu Qingshan
Vanke Early Learning Center
© Wu Qingshan

The interior of the classrooms use the same colour with a lighter shade. The furniture also has some coloured panels to make it more vivid.

As the budget for facade renovation is limited, the original curtain wall is remained with some panels replaced by the coloured ones. The entrance to the learning centre is defined by an illuminated logo.

Vanke Early Learning Center
© Wu Qingshan
Vanke Early Learning Center
© Wu Qingshan

In designing spaces for children, we prefer abstract geometry and simple visual language.

We believe that children’s imaginations are more complex than any designed forms. It is better to design less to create a more imaginative space.

Vanke Early Learning Center
© Wu Qingshan


Vanke Early Learning Center
Plan

Dot Architects 度态建筑事务所
T +86 10 62363117
Dot Architects 度态建筑事务所
Rm 219, Bldg Tianbozhongrun, No.13 Huayuan Road, Haidian, Beijing, China 100088 北京市海淀区花园路十三号院主楼二层219室