permeable terracotta brick screens wrap kindergarten's stacked volumes by NAN architects

"Located in the Lijia area of Yubei District, Chongqing, , the Golden Bay Kindergarten by NAN Architects responds to both a constrained triangular site and the psychological needs of early childhood education. Positioned along the Jialing River, the project integrates spatial strategies that balance openness, play, and protection. The design adopts a staggered stacking method in which each classroom unit is sequentially set back, creating terraces on every floor."

"The is defined by two complementary strategies. On the south and north elevations, large floor-to-ceiling glazing maximizes daylight and frames expansive views of the river. On the east-west axis, a permeable screen provides shading, reduces glare, and maintains privacy from nearby streets and villas. At night, the screen takes on a lantern-like quality, glowing softly and creating a distinctive visual presence. For children, the interplay of light and shadow contributes to an environment that is both stimulating and reassuring."

"At the urban scale, the building presents different interfaces depending on orientation. The north side, facing the river and main road, houses circulation routes and auxiliary functions such as offices, meeting rooms, and stairwells, which are linked into an open walkway that doubles as a public viewing platform. The south side, oriented toward residential buildings, adopts a fragmented, playful massing that softens its visual impact and creates a more intimate relationship with the neighborhood. Through the combined use of"

Golden Bay Kindergarten in Lijia, Chongqing occupies a constrained triangular site along the Jialing River. Classroom units are staggered with sequential setbacks to form terraces on every floor, creating transitional outdoor zones and preserving ground-level qualities. Large floor-to-ceiling glazing on the north and south elevations maximizes daylight and frames expansive river views. A permeable east-west screen provides shading, reduces glare, and ensures privacy while creating a soft lantern-like glow at night. North-side circulation and auxiliary functions form an open walkway and public viewing platform, while south-side fragmented massing softens visual impact toward the neighborhood.

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine