Project Overview

Airport Kindergarten is located in Huadu District, Guangzhou City. It's a kindergarten that ignites "the dream of flying", and functions as a flying and universe-themed gallery in the early stage. Located in a residential development near Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport where is populated mainly by young pilots, flight attendants and their families, the kindergarten will be a major venue for their children to learn and play. We incorporated elements such as flying devices, universe, and aircraft into the architectural design to explore the changes of the mechanical aesthetics brought to urban lifestyle, and to pay tribute to the aerodynamics and fluid dynamics that lay the scientific foundations for flying.

Project Commissioner

Guangzhou City Construction Investment Group

Project Creator

Guangzhou PTArchitects

Team

Chen Xi, Chen Shaotao, Li Run, Zhan Sulin

Project Brief

The kindergarten is located in the Airport Economic Zone in Huadu District of Guangzhou, 5 kilometers away from Baiyun International Airport. As a 9-class kindergarten, it occupies a plot area of 3,510 square meters, with a total floor area of 2,160 square meters. Flying like a bird has long been a dream for humans and especially for kids. Having an opportunity to design a kindergarten themed on "the dream of flying" was extremely interesting for us.

The building is located at the corner of a road intersection. Inspired by the shape of the aircraft, it appears to be ready to take off. The kindergarten is conceived as a "spacecraft ", which is divided into different "Mars landing vehicles". Each "landing vehicle" is a class, which accommodates activity spaces including classroom, dormitory, bathroom and so on. Passing the opening corridors and spiral staircase, "astronauts (children)" from all "Mars landing vehicles (classes)" are led to two "space stations (activity venues)" floating in the space. We associated the architectural form with the daily activities of the astronauts, and incorporated the dream of flying into the design. Each class is a unit, and its structure draws on the form of aircraft, to echo the profession of the parents while making the kindergarten unique in architectural style. It was our first time to transform children's yearning for universe and space technology into a real building through design.

Project Innovation/Need

Designing a kindergarten themed on "the dream of flying " was a very interesting task for us. The project innovatively combined practical functions of a kindergarten with the design theme, to realize the childhood dream and bring a new experience to children. Children are passionate about knowledge of space vehicles, Mars landing vehicles, space stations and others, full of fantasy and curiosity about the unknown universe. Our design included children's yearning for the infinite universe and their imagination about spaceflight technology. We captured the features of space technology and incorporated them into architectural design, and created more possibilities for space by stretching, rotating and folding the structural blocks.

Design Challenge

The challenge was how to associate the theme - "the dream of flying" with the building. We introduced space technologies such as aircrafts and Mars landing vehicles into the building, created more possibilities for spaces by stretching, rotating and folding the blocks. Through the design on the section, plane and facade, we hoped to present the possibility of integrating astrospace elements into the building. We simulated human exploration of the unknown universe, and let the building to encourage children to cooperate, learn from and communicate with each other.

The building adopts an open layout. We merged spaces such as fitting rooms, corridors, staircase with study and play areas. The open activity space is connected to the classrooms via a spiral staircase, which adds nearly 700 square meters of play area. Such a design helps to promote interaction among children from different grades to get to know each other, and enhance communication among teachers from different classes. Through the integration of functions, themes and forms, the project realized "the dream of flying" through design.

Sustainability

The project is located in Guangzhou, which features subtropical climate with warm winters and hot summers. The building requires good ventilation. In response to local climate, the building is oriented towards south, which ensures good ventilation and ample daylight. Besides, the building is designed with opening corridors and 3 special air ducts to enhance air circulation and reduce energy consumption. In addition, the large overhanging structures of the aircraft-shaped building blocks help to shade the sun and insulate the heat.

Architecture - Public and Institutional - Education - International

This award celebrates the design process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Consideration given for material selection, technology, light and shadow. 
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