Family Box / Crossboundaries

Family Box / Crossboundaries - Image 2 of 15Family Box / Crossboundaries - Windows, Door, Stairs, FacadeFamily Box / Crossboundaries - StairsFamily Box / Crossboundaries - Image 5 of 15Family Box / Crossboundaries - More Images+ 10

  • Collaborating Architect And Engineer: Shanghai Xian Dai Architectural Design Group
  • Client: Children Enterprise (UK) Ltd.
  • Architect In Charge: Binke Lenhardt, Dong Hao
  • Project Designers: Anne-Charlotte Wiklander, Irene Solà, Gao Yang
  • City: Shanghai
  • Country: China
More SpecsLess Specs
Family Box / Crossboundaries - Windows, Door, Stairs, Facade
© Dong Hao @ Crossboundaries

Text description provided by the architects. Family Box, an already established children’s facility chain in China, was ambitious to set their first step in metropolitan Shanghai by transforming the space into a dynamic and cheerful play environment for children. The existing premises of 2,100sqm in a residential area was extremely dark and unattractive as the façade cladding covered most of the windows and a chaotic organization of columns, beams and cores was revealed inside. Crossboundaries reorganized the space and created logic to the sequence of experiencing the facility.

Family Box / Crossboundaries - Windows
© Dong Hao @ Crossboundaries

From the entrance the visitor can immediately see the dominant green staircase volume, which serves as the prime circulation path between ground floor and the swimming pool as well as the changing rooms upstairs.

Family Box / Crossboundaries - Bathroom
© Dong Hao @ Crossboundaries

Following a clear sequence, the parents and children are led from the reception on the ground floor, passing by water-play, open-play and café areas next to the staircase. Each area differentiates from the other by pyramid ceilings and is framed in wood defining the thresholds. A continuous link across the areas is optimized by a color scheme led by a fresh, strong green, used behind perforated panels and at window openings combined with wooden benches.

Second Floor Plan Layout

On the second floor, the corridor adapts to the chaotic cores guiding the visitors toward the swimming pools, with recessed connections to the changing rooms along the way. The green is again applied, in niches along the corridor, combined with a lighter blue and grey base palette throughout. Divided into two, the pool area has a shallow section for beginners and deeper water for swim training, over which three big pyramid ceilings with skylights add height and light to the generic swimming hall that previously existed.

Family Box / Crossboundaries - Image 7 of 15
© Dong Hao @ Crossboundaries

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Si Ping Lu, Shanghai Shi, China

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Family Box / Crossboundaries" 22 Jun 2015. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/645023/family-box-crossboundaries> ISSN 0719-8884

© Dong Hao @ Crossboundaries

上海家盒子 / Crossboundaries

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.