Iron Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2020
Seed Music Academy Children Learning Center
by Shawn Shen
- A' Design Award 2020 Iron Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: Seed Music Academy
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 17,990
- Verification code F8731EF5AE · Verify this award
About Seed Music Academy Children Learning Center
“Nurture by love” is the mission statement of Seed Music Academy. Each child is like a seed, who, when nurtured with love, will grow into a majestic tree. The green grass carpet representing the academy is the ground for children to grow. A tree-shaped desk outlining the expectation for children to grow into a strong tree under the influence of music, and the white ceiling with rounded green leaves depicting the branches and fruits of love and support. The curved glass and walls symbolize another significant meaning: children are embraced by the love of their parents and teachers.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The music school functions as multiple classrooms or one large event space while keeping high-quality acoustics and incorporating natural design elements to reflect the school's beliefs. Anchoring the middle of the school is a tree-shaped desk whose trees stretch across the ceiling. The curved walls enhance acoustics, while also literally embracing the children, symbolically echoing the love of their parents and teachers that is a core principle of the school's musical pedagogy. The design had to be robust and kid-friendly.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Dimension: Width 9m x Depth 9m x Height 2.3m
- Tags
- Music Center, children center, education, educational interior design, curved glass, curved wall
- Production Technology
- Movable partition, curved glass, ceiling and walls, washed oak, white maple, tree shaped desk, magnetic glass board
- Design Challenge
- The design had to turn an 84 square meter hall with a low ceiling and structural columns into a conservatory with one concert hall, a waiting area, pantry, storage and four classrooms. The low ceiling was solved by adding layers. The structural columns became the core of tree-shaped desks and bookshelves. All had to be done with child-friendly design and materials.
- Project Duration
- This project started in September 2018 and finished in January 2019 in Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
- Operation Flow
- Students enter a waiting area with seat for parents and space on the base of tree for children. Beyond are five practice rooms with three grand pianos. Movable soundproof partitions can expand the space for hosting recitals and concerts. Curved glass introduces light into different rooms, creating a transparent view and visual extension of the space. This allows both privacy but not isolation. By leaving interior windows bring natural light into the entrance vestibule.
- Research
- This is a collaboration between branding and interior design. Natural materials symbolize the nurturing ground for young children to grow, and reflect the school’s core principle of how foster the love of music in children. The design challenge was to create flexible space with best-in-class acoustics. Designers found inspiration in movie theater soundproofing and acoustic design, in order to increase the NRC Rating and sound quality in the music academy.
- Inspiration
- The modular design of the Seed Music Academy takes inspiration from the founders' mission to plant the seed and then nurture a lifelong love of music in children. Though constrained by space, the design seeks to bring in elements of nature such as trees and green grass. Through these references to nature, we hope to inspire the children in a sense that they are the seeds that will grow into trees.
- Image Credits
- Photographer Ar Her Kuo
Colors of Seed Music Academy Children Learning Center
Design Interview about Seed Music Academy Children Learning Center
“Nurture by love” is the mission statement of Seed Music Academy. The academy believes that children exposed to music at an early age can bring a lot of positive influences on their future.
The entire design is focusing on love. I hope every child and parent who comes to this academy can feel the love.
This award gets a lot of media attention. I will use this opportunity to advertise on various platforms and expand the size of my studio. At the same time, I’ll have more interaction with local schools and the communities.
When I first saw the pre-construction space, about 70% of the design inspiration was already in my mind. It then took me a month to complete the whole design.
I always try to give vitality to my design works. It just so happens that this Music Academy has a very powerful mission that allows me to put its value into the design. I recall how I used to play in nature when I was a kid. I want to bring the atmosphere into this space and share the joy with those children. It is fun to bring the feeling of outdoor grass and woods inside.
This design was explicitly designed for Seed Music Academy. It won't be used anywhere else.
Restrictions led me to design this work. When the weaknesses of the scene limited my options, I could only try to figure out the ways to turn these weaknesses into strengths. So it is associated with the use of grass and trees as the focal point.
Nature gave me a lot of inspiration when I designed this work.
Target customers are children between the ages of 3 and 13 and their parents.
I used every detail of the space to reflect the missions, expectations, and values of the company, which you can directly understand in the appearance. When we carefully observe each part of the room, we can feel that these special details are a metaphor for parents' and teachers' love for children.
The name of the design is quite straightforward. It's the name of the company. There is a direct link between design and brand image. I hope that one day the child can grow from a little seed to a strong tree.
AutoCAD, 3ds Max, Vray, Photoshop, Lightroom.
I widely use circle and curvature to symbolize the harmony in dealing with things and the symbolic design of embrace with open arms. When the child sits under the desk in the shape of a tree, it is like a seed that is slowly nourished and will one day grow like this big tree.
I cooperated with the sound insulation system and movable door company. These are the most basic functional requirements and the most crucial part of this project.
This design uses traditional elements rather than special technology products.
When I first saw the space before the renovation, I was immediately startled by two massive pillars. They're right in the middle of the space! And because of this unchangeable challenge, I adapted the design to fit the company's characteristics according to the environment.
I had an opportunity to talk to my award-winning friend about the international competition and the opportunities it brings afterward. I thought my work was competitive, so I took part in the competition.
One of the biggest challenges of this design was the need for sound insulation. I’ve done a lot of research on the sound insulation system and sound reflection principle of cinema and opera house.
This design also wants to convey an important message, hoping that parents and the government can create a loving environment for our children to grow.