Far from the madding crowd

The network of secure enclosed spaces creates a haven for children to play hide-and-seek-from the courtyard, to the stairs, to the elevated outdoor platforms-the sophisticated network of spaces fosters a strong sense of belonging in the children once they become familiar with them.

Every building is interconnected, and there are multiple shared, interactive spaces in between, so that children of different grades can meet and play together-the one thing Meng used to think was impossible to achieve but turns out to have worked especially well.

The logic behind the design is to offer a sense of equality and a belief that children are capable of building their own connections and settling conflicts on their own, Dong says.

Being able to solve problems in a creative way is a feature of the Western way of raising children that Lenhardt, who has been living in China for 17 years, especially wants Chinese kids to learn and adjust to.

Besides the functional needs of a kindergarten, the team also want to provide these children with a possibility to identify local culture and develop a fine eye for beauty.

Meng was especially impressed that the classrooms have full-height windows, enabling the children to look outside at the plants, flowers, trees and birds.

Some of the buildings also have skylights. The architects considered a variety of natural lighting techniques, but the benefit of having sunshine beam down from on high appeals to the children.

The cluster of buildings and the fences around the kindergarten retain a connection with the outside world, while providing a sense of security.

It's a common belief that the more type of things and objects children have access to, the better it is for their thought development-so children raised in the countryside must have an innate advantage.