Location: Hoa Binh city
Project year: 2019
Da Hop School is a kindergarten located in Hoa Binh province, the northern mountainous region of Vietnam, with a design towards friendliness, harmony with culture, nature and people. With vibrant colors, inspired by the traditional pattern of Muong ethnic in Hoa Binh province, the project is prominent like brocade silks lying on the mountainsides, represent an attachment to the local traditional culture. Dialogue with western river and surrounding mountain ranges, the design connects people and nature together. And this natural scenery with yellow sunlight covering the mountains has inspired the undulating topography of the building. It is also an image that simulates the rhythmic movement of the folk game " Dragon snake”, when children forming a chain, frolicking and playing. The entire school is extremely lively with diverse and interesting spaces, where children are free to experience and explore surprises, increase their joy of going to school. For children learning by playing, the design prioritizes movements with blocks arranged by rhythm, connected by covered bridge corridors, convenient and safe for relocating. The school includes many versatile spaces: practice room, gifted room, music hall, 4-season swimming pool, indoor and outdoor stadiums, aquatic gardens,.. interlaced with playgrounds and greenswards, for comprehensive development of children. At the same time, all classrooms overlook the surrounding mountains surrounding, bring natural sceneries into the building. The main axis in the North-South direction optimizes ventilation and natural lighting. The building uses multi-colored ecological roofing sheets which have insulation and soundproof effects, combined with rainwater gutters to utilize for watering plants in the school yard. There are solutions for improving room comfort: the sun louvers on the South elevation; high balcony walls with gaps in the West and Northwest sunshade are sufficient to shield the audience from sun and wind. Adobe bricks were used to minimize the heat transfer into the classroom as well as increase the efficiency of sound absorption and noise reduction. Architects and clients’ wish is to create a cozy home for nurturing children. Growing up in a familiar, friendly context, these kids are experienced "gradual memories", slowly entering their soul throughout the school journey, developing loves for their homeland and the spirituality in place.