A Walking Box / Unarchitecte

Architects: unarchitecte
Area: 100 m²
Year: 2018
Photography: Courtesy of unarchitecte
Lead Architect: Zhang Hetian
Design Team: Zhang Hetian, Sun Qingfeng, Xu Xuan,Sun Jihua
Construction Company: Jiangxi Fangzhi Architectural Engineering Ltd etc.
Development Company: Yangguangyulu Group
City: Nanchang
Country: China

A Walking Box, designed by unarchitecte in Nanchang City, introduces an activity space in a kindergarten. The installation uses an irregular steel structure combined with polyester nets and suspended elements, creating a play area that encourages exploration. The design includes a ball-like form and curved pathways, seamlessly merging indoor and outdoor environments. This space enhances children’s spatial awareness and curiosity through playful interaction.

In Langqin Bay, next to Aixi Lake, a kindergarten is nestled among landscapes that change with the seasons. On the east side of the main building, a double-height, 100 m² indoor area faces a southern yard. Influenced by the Climbing Park of Luofu Mountain, the kindergarten sought out unarchitecte to develop a climbing net-themed activity space, offering a new play dimension that enriches the children’s learning experiences.

The architects aimed to create a space that differed from typical environments, encouraging children to recognize the diverse potential of spatial design. Through playful exploration of varying dimensions and shapes, children can discover patterns, logic, and gain a refreshed spatial awareness.

To achieve this, the design incorporates multiple installations. The system consists of five key elements: an irregularly shaped steel box, a complex steel structure with ten snap-in balls of various sizes, two surfaces connecting these elements within the box, polyester nets spanning the structure, and eight curved tubes serving as entry and exit points. The main structure is suspended using twenty-three steel ropes, anchored to new steel beams at the ceiling, with additional ropes stabilizing it against nearby columns.

This installation offers multiple interactive spaces: beneath and around the floating box defined by polyester ropes, the curved tubes as passageways, the internal space of the ball structure, and three spatial layers of different heights encircling the ball complex. To integrate the indoor space with the surrounding yard, three curved tubes, sealed with tempered glass, extend through the glass curtain wall on the south side. The overlapping layers of space guide the children’s exploration and enhance their understanding.

The suspended box, formed with polyester nets and steel, is defined by six hyperboloids. It revitalizes the space, creating a dynamic form resembling movement. The design encourages children to adopt a curious and empathetic perspective towards their surroundings, fostering a mindset open to learning through play.

The installation, described as a “walking box,” symbolizes the spirit of exploration. It mirrors the resilience and enthusiasm of the children who play within it, offering an environment where they can grow, imagine, and engage with their surroundings.