pingli no.3 kindergarten by dika design

‘Pingli No.3 Kindergarten’ by dika design

Completed by dika design, ‘Pingli No.3 Kindergarten’ is a colorful school campus located in the Chinese province of Shaanxi. Pingli County Education Bureau commissioned the practice to build the kindergarten, with an aim to push forward basic education, convey multi-dimensional concepts and methods, and revitalize scattered communities through better learning environments and opportunities.

The resulting architecture spans 4,041 square meters, combining the shape of the ‘Mobius Loop’ with the infinity symbol to evoke the concept of ‘from zero to one, one is infinity.’ The first half of the loop sits at higher levels, hosting a green rooftop playground, while the second half is built around ground level with a gentle sloping motion.

‘Between the flow of light and shadow, we leveraged the powers of art, design thinking, and innovation to create a campus life with infinite possibilities, where spontaneous curiosity and a desire to explore are constantly bred in the children’s hearts,’ comments dika design.

all images © Leon

recreating the infinity symbol with a multi-leveled design

The exterior of ‘Pingli No.3 Kindergarten’ reveals a dynamic, streamlined, and multi-leveled design. Specifically, the layout takes the shape of a playful landscape bursting with colors and game corners of different scales and heights, creating versatile hubs for after-school activities. ‘The height differences also generate a three-dimensional order through rhythmic falls, guiding students through the space while embellishing the site,’ writes dika design (see more here).

More importantly, the looping structure gives way to an ‘infinite’ circulation experience, offering children the freedom of running around as they please. From the southwest to the northeast, the continuous ring corridor even joins the seemingly independent functional spaces into a coherent system.

Meanwhile, the inner building circles reflect the childlike instinct for physical rhythm and contact. Highlighting a sense of movement and intimate guidance, these inner rings enable ever-changing spatial experiences and offer diverse lines of sights.

the kindergarten evokes the shapes of a ‘Mobius Loop’ and infinity symbol

aerial view

circular, ‘ring’ corridors encouraging free movement and interconnectedness

the project hopes to revitalize scattered communities through new educational opportunities

children running freely around the ground level playground

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project info:

name: Pingli No.3 Kindergarten

location: Shaanxi, China

total area: 4,041 sqm

client: Pingli County Education Bureau

architecture, interiors, landscape: dika design

lead architect: Wang Junbao

creative team: Tian Jiabin, Ou Jiyong, Zhang Qi, Tan Huimin, Lu Qingyin, Fu Huiming, Tu Xueliang, Zhang Zhigang, Zhang Ce, Ding Fengqun, Wang Peng, Chen Jian, Wang Zinc, Tao Hexin

photography: Leon

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.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom