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Unity Preschool, situated within a conventional office building in Hangzhou, China, stands as a beacon of support for working families in the surrounding underserved community. Designed by Studio Jia, this non-profit kindergarten embodies the Emilia Reggio philosophy, offering essential daycare services and childcare support to families with multiple young children.
Design Concept
At the heart of Unity Preschool lies a meticulous integration of the Emilia Reggio philosophy into architectural and interior elements. The design principle emphasizes adaptability, featuring flexible, child-centric spaces that foster child-led learning and spontaneous interaction. The campus includes classrooms, libraries, a central piazza, a school kitchen, an art studio, office space, a performance stage, meeting rooms, a reception area, a café, and a multi-function room.
The Central Piazza
The school’s focal point is its expansive central piazza, a bustling hub programmed with a performance stage, an art gallery integrated library, and an open kitchen. Unlike traditional campus designs, there are no physical walls segregating programs in the piazza, allowing students to navigate and orchestrate their daily school lives autonomously, promoting social integration and collaborative activities among children of varying ages and class groups.
Architectural Ingenuity
Unity Preschool’s architectural ingenuity lies in maximizing natural light and defying the enclosed nature of traditional office buildings. A multi-floor climbing structure with roof light wells and a glass-ceilinged central staircase integrated with steel slides introduce playful transitions between levels, creating dynamic light patterns throughout the day. This design feature illuminates various areas within the kindergarten, fostering exploration and discovery for children.
Conclusion
The Unity Preschool project exemplifies the successful amalgamation of educational philosophy and design innovation. It sets a new standard for early childhood learning spaces, showcasing the transformative potential of intentional design in elevating educational experiences. Studio Jia’s design not only nurtures young children but also instills a lifelong passion for learning, emphasizing the profound impact of thoughtful design on early childhood education.
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