Farming Kindergarten / VTN Architects

Farming Kindergarten / VTN Architects - Image 2 of 24Farming Kindergarten / VTN Architects - Windows, GardenFarming Kindergarten / VTN Architects - GardenFarming Kindergarten / VTN Architects - Table, Windows, ChairFarming Kindergarten / VTN Architects - More Images+ 19

Biên Hòa, Vietnam
  • Principal Architects: Vo Trong Nghia, Takashi Niwa, Masaaki Iwamoto
  • Project Team: Tran Thi Hang, Kuniko Onishi
  • Client: Pou Chen Vietnam
  • Green Building Consultant: Melissa Merryweather
  • Cfd Analysis: Environment Simulation Inc.
  • Green Building Consultant: Melissa Merryweather
  • Cfd Analysis: Environment Simulation Inc.
  • City: Biên Hòa
  • Country: Vietnam
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Farming Kindergarten / VTN Architects - Facade
© Hiroyuki Oki

Text description provided by the architects. Vietnam historically an agricultural country is facing changes as it moves to a manufacturing based economy, taking its toll on the environment. Increased droughts, floods and salinization jeopardize food supplies, while numerous motorbikes cause daily congestion and air pollution in the cities. Rapid urbanization deprives Vietnamese children of green lands and playgrounds, thus relationship with nature.

Farming Kindergarten / VTN Architects - Image 2 of 24
© Gremsy

Farming Kindergarten is a challenge to counter these issues. Located next to a big shoe factory, and designed for 500 children of the factory's workers, the building is conceived as a continuous green roof, providing food and agriculture experience to children, as well as an extensive playground to the sky. 

Farming Kindergarten / VTN Architects - Image 20 of 24
Ground Floor Plan

The green roof is a triple-ring shape drawn with a single stroke, encircling three courtyards inside as safe playgrounds. Recently, an experimental vegetable garden was realized on its top. Five different vegetables are planted in 200m2 garden for agriculture education.

Farming Kindergarten / VTN Architects - Garden
© Hiroyuki Oki

All functions are accommodated under this roof. As the roof lowers to the courtyard it provides access to the upper level and vegetable gardens on top- the place where children learn the importance of agriculture and recover connection to nature.

Farming Kindergarten / VTN Architects - Stairs
© Hiroyuki Oki

Environmental Strategies

The building is made of a continuous narrow strip with two side operable windows which maximize the cross ventilation and natural lighting. Additionally, architectural and mechanical energy-saving methods are comprehensively applied including but not limited to: green roof as insulation, green facade as shading and solar water heating. These devices are designed visibly and play an important role in the children’s sustainable education. Factory wastewater are recycled to irrigate greenery and flush toilets.

Farming Kindergarten / VTN Architects - Garden
© Hiroyuki Oki

As a result, the kindergarten is operated without air conditioners in the classrooms despite being located in a harsh tropical climate. According to post-occupancy record issued 10 months after completion, the building saves 25% of energy and 40% of fresh water compared to baseline building performance, reducing its running cost greatly.

Farming Kindergarten / VTN Architects - Image 23 of 24
Enviromental Strategies

Cost-Efficiency

The building is designed for low-income factory workers' children, therefore construction budget is quite limited. Therefore, the combination of local materials (ex. bricks, tiles) and low-tech construction methods are applied, which also help minimize the environmental impact as well as promote local industry. Thanks to simple rigid frame with economical materials, the construction cost per one square meter is only 500 USD including finishes and equipment, which is competitively cheap even within the Vietnamese market.

Farming Kindergarten / VTN Architects - Garden
© Hiroyuki Oki

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Project location

Address:Biên Hòa, Dong Nai, Vietnam

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Farming Kindergarten / VTN Architects" 11 Nov 2014. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/566580/farming-kindergarten-vo-trong-nghia-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

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