Kendall International Interieurontwerp Kleuterschool by Cocoon Architecture Ltd.

Kendall International Interieurontwerp Kleuterschool by Cocoon Architecture Ltd. is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award in IJzer in Interieur en Tentoonstellingsontwerp Competition Category.

IJzerInterieur· 2020

Kendall International Interieurontwerp Kleuterschool

by Cocoon Architecture Ltd.

Client: Cocoon Architecture Ltd

A' Design Award in IJzer Winner in Interieur Category

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Verified Award Winner

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The Design

About Kendall International Interieurontwerp Kleuterschool

Kendall International is een kleuterschoolinterieur gelegen in het podium van een torengebouw in Hong Kong. Doosvormige klaslokalen zijn vervangen door dorpshuisjes van halve hoogte, gerangschikt rondom een centraal plein. Het plein maakt gebruik van de hoge vrije ruimte van het podium en omvat een klimwand, een vogelhuisje op een zuil, een verhoogd looppad en een glijbaan. Openingen verbinden de rustige klaslokalen met het levendige plein. Eenvoudige natuurlijke materialen in witte en houttinten vormen een rustige achtergrond. De indeling ondersteunt leren door middel van ontdekking en een gevoel van gemeenschap.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in IJzer

Kendall International Interieurontwerp Kleuterschool is winnaar van de A' Design Award in IJzer, een prestigieuze erkenning die wordt toegekend aan goede ontwerpen die voldoen aan de professionele en industriële eisen die worden verwacht van goed ontworpen creaties. Winnaars in IJzer tonen grote vaardigheid, hoge specialisatie, deskundig inzicht en het creatieve vermogen van hun makers. Kendall International Interieurontwerp Kleuterschool wordt verwacht een hooggewaardeerde, bewonderde en gekoesterde creatie te zijn die praktisch en innovatief is. Dit ontwerp dat de A' Design Award in IJzer heeft gewonnen, integreert de beste praktijken uit de sector en heeft bekwame technische kenmerken die verbonden zijn met knowhow en talent. Kendall International Interieurontwerp Kleuterschool wordt gerespecteerd om zijn grondigheid en is ontworpen om verbeteringen van de levenskwaliteit te bieden die helpen de wereld een betere plek te maken.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: 1. Scale of CITY vs Scale of VILLAGE
A village is created among the many towers. Classrooms are shaped as village houses clustering around a Central Plaza, where the kids play and run and dance.
2. Scale of ROOMS vs Scale of PODIUM
Existing high headroom makes the Central Plaza like outdoor. Different levels become possible for kids to explore, like bird-house and climbing wall.
3. Scale of TEACHERS vs Scale of KIDS
Kids have different ergonomics requirement. A suitably crafted space can increase their sense of belongings.
Dimensions & Packaging: This client is new to the kindergarten industry so they are open-minded and dare to challenge the current situation in Hong Kong. As it is a startup, the budget is a bit tight. We avoid luxury materials and put our effort in making full potential of the space and gives the best experience to the kids.
The materials used are simple and natural, mostly in white and wooden color, making the space a backdrop for the colorful kids. Instead of celebrating the architectural space we emphasize the kids’ existence.
Tags: Village, Kids
Design Challenge: Hong Kong is a Vertical City. Kindergarten in podium of a tower building is common. Kids study in boxes called classrooms. This kindergarten also situated in the ground floor shop of a podium in Cheung Sha Wan district amidst a very local community.
Thanks to the special characteristics of the site and the enlightening teaching philosophy, we challenge the scenario of a common podium kindergarten. We would like to make this kindergarten a community within a community. Instead of box-like classrooms with enclosing walls, we put half-height village houses around a Central Plaza, all behind full transparent glass partitions. When you pass by the kindergarten, it is like a village in a city.
Research: The podium is of high headroom. Multiple levels are provided to make full use of the height. A climbing wall, a birdhouse hung on a column and a sky walkway connected to a slide is designed for kids to explore, to move up and down experiencing the kindergarten from different angles.
Columns are regarded as features to add value to space, not as obstacles. The column at entrance is turned into a chimney of a village house while the central column symbolizes a tree by the attachment of a birdhouse.
Inspiration: Hong Kong is a Vertical City. Kindergarten in podium of a tower building is common. Kids study in boxes called classrooms. Decoration is colorful, sometimes too colorful.
The teaching philosophy of the kindergarten is Reggio. The two main concepts are kids as active constructor of knowledge and encourage them to be part of a big community.
Thanks to the special characteristics of the site and the enlightening teaching philosophy, we challenge the scenario of a common podium kindergarten by studying: Scale of City vs Scale of Village, Scale of Rooms vs Scale of Podium & Scale of Teacher vs Scale of Kids.
Project Duration: The project is located in the podium of a typical podium & tower building in Hong Kong. Thanks to the special characteristic of the site, we challenge the scenario of a common podium kindergarten. The project completed in February 2018.
Team Members: YUNG Chung Kwong, CHIU Hang Mei Mary Grace
Image Credits: cocoon architecture ltd.