Sunshine Kindergarten Zhongshan

Narratives

Architect Narrative

As a “Kinder”, we explore the world’s fundamentals and create our tales, natural but immeasurable. We want to fly when we see the sky, and we want to swim when we see the sea. To create a “Garten” for the Kinders, we simply focus on those fundamentals for their free explorations and discoveries within this Kindergarten.

The main architectural concern is to create liberal spaces for the kinders to learn and create within and outside the rigid learning spaces. We emphasize the openness and fluency of the spaces and intend to provide flowing and vivid spatial qualities to liberate their creativity. The organic spaces experienced through moving around the garten is an attempt to echo with organic nature and create an open dialogue between interior and exterior spaces, as well as between the process of teaching and learning.

Entering the garten, the kinders will enjoy the transitional spaces connecting the dynamic water pond in front of the entrance and semi-open terraces around the central courtyard. Inside the courtyard, the space is discharged to the infinite sky with energetic learning spaces on both sides. The unrestricted spaces connecting the classrooms are created for them to meet, gather, sit, sing, play, think and for whatever purposes they want.

We believe this spatial liberty to the Kinders would arouse their curiosity, intimacy and belonging to this Garten, a place for them to explore our world.

Educator Narrative

There are lots of surprises and explorations for our kids to discover. Because the spaces are so ¡¥plastic¡¦ and fluent, kids are moving freely according to their own preferences. For me, it is a breakthrough in Kindergarten design in China, as clues of barriers and compartmentation are so minimal and suggestive which are just opposite to most Chinese Kindergarten, where hierarchy and discipline are emphasized.
Two incidents are telling a similar message. 1. During the opening ceremony, Kids were simply joyful to jump into the pool without asking any permission. 2. After the school tours, all Kids were willing to stay and ask their parents to let them in the Kindergarten. I think it is a great success as the design has already encouraged a freedom of behavior and allowed kids to express their own views. Well, I am expecting a new generation of young Chinese Kids to emerge.

Ms. Fang Min
Founder of Sunshine Kindergarten