IBG “H” Kindergarten by HIBINOSEKKEI and Youji no Shiro

Located in a quiet residential neighborhood of Chaoyang District, Beijing, IBG “H” Kindergarten is an adaptive reuse project by HIBINOSEKKEI in collaboration with Youji no Shiro. Completed in 2023, the project transforms an existing office building into a compact, child-centered learning environment that prioritizes sensitivity, movement, and cultural awareness within a limited urban footprint.

Unlike many large-scale kindergartens commonly found in China, the client envisioned a small-group educational setting that could deliver high-quality, individualized learning experiences. With a total area of 811 square meters, the architectural challenge lay in maximizing spatial potential while fostering a strong connection between children, nature, and culture. The surrounding context: rich with museums, galleries, and international schools, played a crucial role in shaping both the educational philosophy and architectural response.

The design concept draws inspiration from Beijing’s historical name, Yanjing, a city long associated with birds and nesting. This metaphor informs the spatial narrative of the kindergarten, where children are encouraged to “spread their wings” as they play, learn, and grow. Vertical movement becomes a central design strategy. An external staircase links the first through third floors, actively promoting daily physical activity and offering children a dynamic relationship with the building. This vertical circulation transforms a spatial limitation into an opportunity for exercise, exploration, and spatial awareness.

Inside the building, net playground structures connect classrooms and communal areas across floors, enabling continuous movement even during Beijing’s cold winter months. These playful architectural elements blur the boundary between circulation and play, reinforcing the idea that learning occurs through the body as much as through the mind. On the third floor, a rooftop terrace extends learning outdoors and connects directly to an attic-like atelier, creating a flexible creative space for art, experimentation, and group activities under natural light.

Cultural engagement is equally embedded in the design. Reflecting the artistic character of the neighborhood, the entrance functions as a small gallery space where children’s works are displayed alongside collaborations with local artists. This everyday interaction with art encourages creative confidence and positions the kindergarten as an open cultural platform rather than a closed educational facility.

Through thoughtful adaptive reuse, IBG “H” Kindergarten demonstrates how small-scale educational architecture can achieve richness, flexibility, and depth. By combining vertical play, creative circulation, and cultural exchange, the project offers a compelling model for sustainable kindergarten design in dense urban contexts, one that nurtures both physical development and emotional sensitivity.

Project Details Architects: HIBINOSEKKEI + Youji no Shiro Location: Beijing, China Program: Kindergarten Area: 811 m² Year: 2023 Photography: Taku Hibino

All photographs are works of  Taku Hibino