At Soyoo children choose their journey through five intersecting “tube” pathways. In five different colours the “tubes” cut through the rigid layout of the existing building. Functioning both in terms of program and circulation and the ultimate freedom to explore, imagine, learn and express, leading all the way to the roof.
At ground floor the public landscape extends into 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 layout containing 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 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 of colored 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 Crossboundaries’ 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.