A ‘Cave’ to Explore, A Kindergarten Design in Shenzhen
Nestled amidst the high-rise buildings of bustling Shenzhen, a newly designed kindergarten stands out as a beacon of innovative and child-friendly architecture. Designed by Aedas Executive Director Chris Chen, the Gemdale Great City Bay Kindergarten emphasises the harmonious blend to ecology and public space, offering a welcoming and nurturing environment for children.
Chris shares, ‘The kindergarten boasts an excellent urban frontage, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding cityscape. This not only enhances the building’s aesthetics but also establishes a strong presence within the community.
Designed to be a ‘cave’ to explore, the kindergarten is envisioned to be a magical place for children. It is a unique, secretive space to foster creativity and a sense of adventure. The 3-storey kindergarten consists of classrooms, multi-function rooms, administrative amenities and outdoor activity area. The humane design ensures ample natural light and effective ventilation through full-height glass walls and semi-open layout, maintaining a bright and healthy environment, as well as a positive learning atmosphere.
By stepping back the kindergarten at various levels, the design creates comfortable and sunlit play areas. These areas offer children a safe and enjoyable environment to play and interact, contributing to their physical and social development. The vertical layout introduces dynamic and interactive spaces that extend beyond the ground level. It creates exciting, multi-dimensional areas for children to explore and engage with.
The layered façade adds a unique scenic element along the street, enhancing the visual appeal of the building and making the kindergarten a landmark in the city. Concrete paint and metal fins are used to create a neat and vibrant architectural form. The roof garden provides an oasis for children and teachers, promoting outdoor activities and transforming the kindergarten into a community landscape.
‘The Gemdale Great City Bay Kindergarten is a thoughtfully designed haven that blends ecology, public space, and innovative architecture. It stands as a testament to the possibilities of creating educational environments that are both functional and inspiring.’ Chris says.
2025
Project: Gemdale Great City Bay Kindergarten
Location: Shenzhen, China
Client: Gemdale
Design and Project Architect: Aedas
Gross Floor Area: 3,200 sq m
Design Director: Chris Chen, Executive Director
Design and Project Architect: Aedas
Design Director: Chris Chen, Executive Director
Aedas -
