Soyoo Joyful Growth Center

Zhengzhou, China

Foto © YANG Chao Ying

Architekten: Crossboundaries

Standort: Zhengzhou, China
Jahr: 2015
Bauherrschaft: 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.