dika design’s latest kindergarten project sits like a space capsule in the chinese mountains
the 4,950 sqm campus is informed by unconventional perspective lines that nod to local topography and culture.
exploring kindergarten: daliangshan ‘space capsule’
deep in the daliang mountain, one of china’s poorest regions, sits the daliangshan ‘space capsule’ by dika design. spanning 4,950 sqm, the project comprises a kindergarten and communal spaces that inspire curiosity and play with their array of lines and shapes nodding to local topography, abstract geometries, national culture, and contemporary art.
concerning the choice of a capsule-shaped building, dika design says: ‘the project is located in the surrounding county of the xichang satellite launch center, where the people witnessed the miracle of china’s space flight. we hope to highlight that concept further on the campus.‘
a new focal point presenting unconventional perspective lines
the first challenge for dika design (see more here) was finding a way to integrate the building volume within the mountain scenery and its cultural features. ultimately, the architects decided to build the daliangshan space capsule according to the plateau terrain. they also enclosed in an arc-shaped area and invaded it with natural forces that break the traditional linear architectural perspective, forming a sharp contrast with the surrounding area, as well as a new focal point.
celebrating local education, discovery, and outdoor play
programatically, dika design planned the daliangshan space capsule campus to accommodate sports venues and creative classes, giving children a spectrum of activities for self-expression and play. at the same time, the architecture invites ample sunlight and natural air through floor-to-ceiling windows and a natural playground on the rooftop of the school building.
‘this is an attempt for us to deeply participate in the education iteration of the region. we hope that the architecture of the kindergarten is as pure as the environment in which it is nestled,’ reflects the team.
project info:
name: daliangshan space capsule
type: architecture/interior
location: xichang, sichuan, china
completed design date: 2020
construction date: 2021
gross floor area: 4,950 sqm
architecture: dika design
lead architect: wang junbao
participating designers: tian jiabin, ou jiyong, wang yaguang, tan huimin, fu huiming, zhang qi, lu qingyin, tu xueliang
construction drawings: zhang jie, xia guo-yong, tu xue-liang, wang peng, wang yang, xia haiyang, tang ling, li dong
further renderings: tu xueliang, lu qingyin, wu lin, cui yingnan
photography: leon, wang yaguang, tu xueliang
designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
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