DUTS Design Shanghai Office

Flowing Chapter---Space Renovation Design for English Giraffe in Qiantan, Shanghai

Children are our future. In a multi-dimensional world, children's space is moving towards to a more multi- functional level, bringing more public cultural exposure and more rich experience for growth. DUTS Design presents its latest space renovation design project, a multi-functional kids space based in Qiantan, Pudong district of Shanghai. In an irregular space with a total area of about 630 square meters, the architectures of DUTSdesign have created a "Flowing Chapter" for children, bringing more new surprise experience.

The original space of the project is irregular shaped, formed by the connection of walls with different angles.

When the design team of DUTS Design saw this space, "This layout of the space looks like the head of a deer, which is cute, but it is a huge challenge for the designers for space renovation and transformation.”

English, Personality building，Multi-knowledge and Personal expression are the basic needs of children provided by English Giraffe. Based on functional positioning, an open theater and stage, library with reading space, 8 classrooms, reception and offices for staff need to be put in this irregular space with only 630 square meters. Facing the square with crowds, display window for public shall also be taken into consideration.

If the space for horizontal layout is limited, why not take full advantages of vertical height? The height of the space is 5 meters, which is good for some renovation for it. "For children, the high and low space is like a flying magic carpet, which will bring them more exploration experience and have fun."

After the design sketch for times, "A School on the flying magic carpet" was born. Each classroom is independent and be raised in structure to separate from the indoor floor, creating a suspended feeling and aesthetics. Combining horizontal layout together with vertical structure, the space becomes more dynamic ,with rich layers ,while holding "thin"and "flying" shapes.

In consideration of space, function, flow of people, floor height, safety, etc., after continuous deduction, the performance stage, drama classroom, library classroom, reception and other spaces with interactive display functions are arranged in the glass curtain wall area along the street; 6 English classrooms with square shape and staff offices are located in the quiet hinterland to realize the ultimate use of space.
The space is located in the 1st floor of Crystal Plaza mall in Qiantan section in Shanghai, facing the most lively square, and also has the function of cultural displaying to public. We set up a 270-degree circular window display on both sides of the "Deer Head", turning the theater stage and suspended library space into a natural display window, which became a stunning public cultural display space in the Qiantan section .

Abstract undulating flow lines are the core of this design project. Oriented by function and experience, we designed a set of imaginative moving lines for children, and named it as "Flowing Chapter". The open stage, drama classroom, and library are smartly integrated in the scene-based space, like a magic book that attracts children for continuous exploration and have rich experience.

"Design a flowing space for children so that they can have an immersive learning journey in it."

The main gate pf the space is facing the square. Taking into consideration for flow of people in the mall , we created a special "magic tunnel" entrance for the children entering the space from the shopping mall. When the children curiously drilled through the tunnel, they entered the imaginative flowing space.

The "Open Theater" facing the square is the core of the whole space. The whole hall is designed as a flowing stage, which is a partner for children to learn, rehearse and perform. At the end of each course, there will be a report performance. We are very pleased to see the vivid performance of each child and the deep pride on the face of each parent.

With the abstract undulating flow, we entered the reading space, which is designed as a "Reading Theater" with stairs, where the children sit high and low, enjoying the quiet pleasure of reading.

All classrooms are smartly placed in a quiet area near the "deer neck" to ensure the regularity of the teaching space, while also providing children with a quiet space without external interference. The combination of moving and quiet brings an immersive while professional learning experience.

Digital design and new construction technology is used in the design process , used in form generation, structural optimization, elevation simulation, and construction generation. Accurate calculation and countless adjustments make the entire surface directional and topologically continue, organically integrate the reception, stair, stage, Speak Up stage, and keep the continuity of the moving flow in the space.It strengthens the openness of the urban public space, while brings a unique spirit and vitality to the space.

In the design of the stage background wood grain wall, the designer adopted rigorous calculations for many experiments to optimize the width, length, gap and color of the pattern. The resulting abstract linear wood grain array accurately hides the stage door, clearly fits the 3D logo and text dynamically, and uses light and shadow and natural colors to make this stage background rich in limited space, and finally produces a beautiful And practical decorative surface.

The architect's design creativity incorporates detailed systematic analysis and investigation combined with digital construction technology. In this project, the characteristics of the materials were challenged, making the natural and smooth transition of different materials and different curvatures and functions of the stage, not only through continuous geometry The features meet the functional requirements, and also coordinate with the furniture and floor patterns, providing users with a unified and multilevel experience that is different from other spaces.

With the help of digital architect technology, the project construction can restore the designed simulation space to a higher degree, or it can be completed in a short period of time through block assembly, effectively saving construction costs.
In the digital age, urban spaces need to create more diverse experiences and life scenarios for people.The passing children stopped all over, shinning in their eyes with surprise. The “Flowing Chapter”, like the unknown beautiful world, opening its doors, waiting for their exploration and discovery.