MAD architects to turn traditional chinese courtyard into kindergarten with floating roof

MAD architects, led by ma yansong, has revealed plans to transform a traditional beijing courtyard into a kindergarten. located on a site that dates back to 1725, the project involves the addition of a floating roof, which surrounds the historic setting and preserves the area’s cultural heritage. the roof transforms the limited space between the various buildings into a colorful playground that functions as an outdoor playground and place of escape.

all images courtesy of MAD architects

below the floating roof, MAD has designed the interior of the kindergarten as a versatile setting that serves as a teaching space, library, small theater, and gymnasium. this openness hopes to ensure a free and inclusive atmosphere, and functions as the daily education space for 400 children between the ages of 2-5. positioned adjacent to the old courtyard, rooms open towards the historic buildings. importantly, the configuration ensures that the site’s three ancient trees are retained.

the project involves the addition of a floating red roof

the project, which incorporates a building constructed in the 1990s, as well as the 400-year-old courtyard, seeks to be as cohesive as possible. the design retains the authenticity of the original buildings, while allowing them to co-exist with one another — thus creating new interactions between them. ‘my ideal kindergarten is not a theme park, or a place of shelter,’ explains ma yansong. ‘it should be objective and real, but go beyond reality and provide some space for the unknown and imagination.’ the project is currently under construction and is expected to open in the autumn of 2019.

the canopy transforms the limited space between the various buildings into a colorful playground

the roof functions as a place of escape

a subtly undulating surface of several small hills creates a varying topography

the interior of the kindergarten has been designed as a versatile space

the new rooms open towards the historic buildings

the interiors are flooded with natural sunlight

a sunken gymnasium forms part of the plan

the project is expected to open in the autumn of 2019

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project info:

name: le cheng kindergarten
location: beijing, china
dates: 2017-2019

principal partners in charge: ma yansong, dang qun, yosuke hayano
design team: he wei, fu xiaoyi, xiao ying, chen hungpin, yin jianfeng, zhang long, zhao meng, kazushi miyamoto, dmitry seregin, ma yue, huang jinkun, ben yuqiang, chen luman

client: yuecheng group
executive architect: china academy of building research
interior design: MAD architects, supercloud studio
signage design: 2×4 beijing
landscape architect: ECOLAND planning and design corporation
façade construction: beijing jangho curtain wall system engineering co., ltd.

visualizations: SAN
model photography: creatAR images