Situation

The Eco-Kindi kinder­garten in Vinh, near Hanoi, Vietnam, unfolds with three semicir­cular buil­dings over three levels linked by bridges gene­ra­ting a series of inter­con­nected indoor and outdoor spaces that are playful and safe while making an archi­tec­tural state­ment.

Eco-Kindi was desi­gned by LAVA with Module K and Viet Décor.

Education

Eco-Kindi is an educa­tion project for the future gene­ra­tion chal­lenges us to ques­tion the ways we teach and learn.

Rather than a sterile box with a teacher in front and kids in rows listening, LAVA created a lear­ning envi­ron­ment where disco­very, curio­sity, inter­ac­tion with nature and acti­vity-based lear­ning are encou­raged to promote children’s holi­stic deve­lo­p­ment.

Windows

The buil­dings feature multiple circular cut out windows framed in bold primary colours and organic-shaped windows.

On the ground floor, they vary in height and size to reflect the needs of diffe­rent age groups.

Feng Shui

The archi­tec­tural concept for these outdoor spaces is the five elements accor­ding to Feng Shui – earth [sand­pits and earth mounds], water [water elements], fire [kitchen], metal [play­ground equip­ment] and wood [plants and trees, mini golf].

Physical deve­lo­p­ment is also nurtured through these indoor and outdoor play­grounds, a sports centre and a swim­ming pool promo­ting a healthy life­style. And crea­ti­vity too — with art classes, music room, library and master­chef kitchen. Ceilings feature fun flowing shapes and dino­saur-like ribbed surfaces.

The faci­li­ties and teaching equip­ment cater for 750 children.