Soyoo Joyful Growth Center

Zhengzhou, China
Photo © YANG Chao Ying
Photo © YANG Chao Ying
Photo © YANG Chao Ying
Photo © YANG Chao Ying
Photo © YANG Chao Ying
Photo © YANG Chao Ying
Photo © YANG Chao Ying
Photo © YANG Chao Ying
Photo © YANG Chao Ying
Photo © YANG Chao Ying
Architects
Crossboundaries
Location
Zhengzhou, China
Year
2015
Client
Soyoo Castle Enterprise Management Co. Ltd
Team
Binke Lenhardt, DONG Hao, Tracey Loontjens, LI Zhenyu, Brecht Van Acker, Filip Galuszka, Diego Caro, Cristina Portolés
Graphic Design
LAVA

At Soyoo children choose their journey through different colored “tube” pathways cut through the rigid layout of the existing building. Functioning both as program and circulation providing the ultimate freedom to explore, imagine, learn and express.

REPURPOSED TO EXPLORE, IMAGINE, LEARN AND EXPRESS

At ground floor the public landscape extendsinto the lobby welcoming visitors with a playframe, café, swimming pool and commercial booths.The second floor offers children a fantasy learning experience following the free flowing circular layoutcontaining spaces related to drama, dance and music, a literacy and library, geography and world orientation, cooking, animation and art.The third floor is occupied by the Soyoo operated kindergarten, and roof garden continuing the program from below.

One of three derelict round buildings Soyoo presents the community a new façade and landscape and a completely repurposed interior. The challenge was the amendment of the original building, limitations of the building’s exterior, structural constraints and vast size, into a new tailored one.

A secondary facade ofcolored strings span from the existing roof to the ground, creating areas in between the existing volume. Light still easily penetrates through the façade into building. The interior reflects the same color palette allowing for easy orientation within the building.

Guided by Sir Ken Robinson the design rethinks educational philosophy in contemporary China. That education should be personalized and children should be exposed to an environment where they appreciate to learn and can discover their passions. Soyoo encourages children to follow their own interests, learn freely and find their own way within the building.

Related Projects

  • Wellness Bogn Sedrun
    Walter Bieler AG
  • Shanghai Suhe MixC World
    KOKAISTUDIOS
  • Welcome to the Stage!
    Kjellander Sjöberg
  • Hovering Kan-Too – Great Bay Area Center Showroom
    Wutopia Lab
  • Stockwell-Rodríguez Residence
    Belmont Freeman Architects

Magazine

Other Projects by Crossboundaries

Qkids English Center
Xiamen, China
The Known
Shenzhen, Pingshan District, China
China House Vision
Beijing, China
Kids Design Week 751 D Park Event and Exhibition Design
Beijing, China
BMW Museum
Beijing, China