Family Box In Beijing / SAKO Architects

Architects: SAKO Architects
Area: 4150 m²
Year: 2013
Photographs: Ruijing Photo
Construction: Shenzhen Weiye Decoration Group
Architect In Charge: Keiichiro SAKO, Kumiko Fukasawa
Client: Beijing Family Box
City: Beijing
Country: China

Family Box in Beijing, designed by SAKO Architects, is an early childhood education center located in the Beijing CBD residential area. The center’s design, inspired by colorful trees, is playful and abstract. The three-story building includes a main entrance and three children’s swimming pools on the ground floor, with 15 class and activity rooms on the upper floors. Twelve large colorful cylinders divide the space, creating various rooms and activities. A central corridor connects these spaces, allowing children to explore the different forms and openings. The center uses white finishes and warm lighting, emphasizing the cheerful colors, and creating an environment that stimulates children’s curiosity and imagination.

The center’s public program spans the building’s three stories. The main entrance, along with three children’s swimming pools, is on the ground floor. The second and third floors house 15 distinct classrooms and activity spaces, including a kitchen, a supermarket, a music room, a dance room, a cafeteria, and an indoor exercise and play area.

Twelve large, colorful cylinders partition the space on the second and third floors. These cylinders, seemingly placed at random, create distinct rooms and activity areas within the center. The variety of colors, free-form curved openings, and inclined walls of the cylinders enhance the center’s playful ambiance.

A central corridor connects all the cylinders, offering a space on the third floor where children can observe the various forms, openings, and inclined walls of the ‘trees.’ White finishes and warm lighting are used throughout the center, allowing the brightly colored themes to stand out prominently.

The center offers an ideal educational environment where children can participate in a wide range of activities and enhance their imaginations. The diverse spaces create a joyful and pleasant atmosphere that stimulates children’s curiosity.