[Perform Design Studio - Sanhuan Kindergarten - COVER IMG] Overall birds'eye view of three hexagonal interwoven volumes. Photographer: Lian He

Sanhuan Kindergarten

PrizeHonorable Mention in Architectural Design / Educational Buildings
Firm LocationShanghai, China
CompanyPerform Design Studio
Lead ArchitectQian Li
Design TeamZhiyong Tan, Qian Wang, Shukai Chen, Deyun Hu, Tingting Zheng, Cheng Yang
ClientYangzhong Education Bureau

Kindergartens in China comprise three grades and Sanhuan Kindergarten is expressly designed with this operational structure. Three interwoven hexagonal volumes hold the classrooms of the three different grades, with each volume having a courtyard inside. Kids will usually play in their own, familiar courtyards with their immediate peers, but can also easily explore other spaces through numerous open corridors, shortcuts between courtyards, and connected roof terraces. Spatial qualities of independence and intimacy are both achieved at once in this kindergarten.