Montessori Kindergarten / ArkA

Montessori Kindergarten / ArkA - Windows, HandrailMontessori Kindergarten / ArkA - Image 3 of 20Montessori Kindergarten / ArkA - Beam, Windows, HandrailMontessori Kindergarten / ArkA - Bed, Bedroom, BeamMontessori Kindergarten / ArkA - More Images+ 15

  • Interior Designers: ArkA
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  8000
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Chiara Ye
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Forbo Flooring Systems, OXO
Montessori Kindergarten / ArkA - Windows, Handrail
© Chiara Ye

Text description provided by the architects. Beijing Peninsula Kindergarten is our second cooperation project with Peninsula Education Group. Mixing the Montessori education with the architecture, our designers aim to create a more suitable space and safe environment for the growth of Chinese children, allowing them to play and learn freely and happily.

The original building was an open-plan office, with its entire space being divided into 4 floors. Our first mission is to make over the space according to kids’ physical proportion. In our design, we add many small houses which gives the kids a sense of ownership and safety.

Montessori Kindergarten / ArkA - Windows, Door, Chair, Facade
© Chiara Ye

The design of the classroom resembles a simple house. The library is transformed into an open space with a tree planted in the center, just like the main square of a rural town. Corridors become a multifunctional open space where kids move around freely and play with others, and it is easy for teachers to supervise at the same time. Some corridors are portrayed as fields for the children to experience seasonal changes and roam around.

Montessori Kindergarten / ArkA - Image 10 of 20
© Chiara Ye
Montessori Kindergarten / ArkA - Image 11 of 20
© Chiara Ye

A big blue staircase connects every floor, as if it were a canal from the old times. The arrangement of those houses and staircase presents an image of a village built along the river, bringing the kids closer with nature. Like a harmonious village, the Montessori Kindergarten serves as a community where children and adults engage in interacting and learning and enjoy the experience.

Montessori Kindergarten / ArkA - Table, Chair, Beam
© Chiara Ye

Meanwhile, an easy and safe design is applied to the doors so that younger kids can also use without worrying about the sharp corners. Large use of windows allows teachers to observe the kids’ activities.

Montessori Kindergarten / ArkA - Image 6 of 20
© Chiara Ye
Montessori Kindergarten / ArkA - Bed, Bedroom, Beam
© Chiara Ye

Through the establishment of a free and open space, the kids will be able to study and play at their option and develop their abilities by themselves. In this way, kids learn to become independent and make their own decisions, which we believe will play a significant role in their studies and life in the future.

Montessori Kindergarten / ArkA - Stairs, Handrail
© Chiara Ye

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Project location

Address:Beijing, China

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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: "Montessori Kindergarten / ArkA" 11 Dec 2018. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/907109/montessori-kindergarten-arka> ISSN 0719-8884

© Chiara Ye

北京亦庄蒙特梭利幼儿园 / ArkA

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