Chieng Ban Kindergarten by 1+1>2 Architects

In the mountainous region of Son La, Vietnam, Chieng Ban Kindergarten by 1+1>2 Architects stands as a gentle yet powerful statement on the role of architecture in shaping community and childhood. More than a building, it is an act of care—a thoughtfully designed environment that connects children with nature, culture, and imagination. Through simple materials, climatic intelligence, and spatial generosity, the project demonstrates how architecture can nurture learning and joy in rural settings.

A Safe Haven for Learning and Play

The kindergarten accommodates two classrooms, two restrooms, a staff room, and a covered corridor that doubles as a play area. Each component has been designed not only for function but for emotional and sensory engagement. The architects understood that in this remote area, a school is often the first structured environment a child experiences outside the home. Thus, the design prioritizes safety, warmth, and familiarity while introducing elements of curiosity and exploration.

Enclosed by brick walls and vibrant painted surfaces, the school’s perimeter establishes both protection and playfulness. The lively hues punctuate the calm earthy tones of the brick, creating a cheerful yet grounded atmosphere. This dialogue between texture and color creates a child-friendly visual rhythm that both stimulates and comforts. The walls, while defining boundaries, are also porous—inviting air, light, and sound to flow through the campus.

Open Corners and the Freedom of Sky

One of the project’s most distinctive gestures is the series of open corners at the top of the walls, which literally open the school to the sky. This architectural move dissolves the boundary between inside and outside, transforming each classroom into a semi-open learning pavilion connected to its natural surroundings. Sunlight streams in at different angles throughout the day, and breezes pass freely through, ensuring excellent cross-ventilation and a comfortable indoor climate.

The result is a dynamic, ever-changing environment where children remain aware of the passing clouds, shifting light, and seasonal atmosphere. By blurring the limits of enclosure, the architects encourage imagination and environmental awareness, inviting students to see learning as something that extends beyond walls. The design thus becomes both a functional solution for climate and a metaphor for openness and freedom in education.

The Unifying Roof and Courtyard

The kindergarten is unified under a large, gently sloping roof that shelters the classrooms and central courtyard. This roof, with its generous overhangs, is more than a structural canopy—it is the spatial heart of the school. Beneath it, the courtyard becomes a communal zone of interaction, where teachers and students gather for play, storytelling, and collective activities.

The open-air corridor that runs along the classrooms serves as both circulation and playground, dissolving the line between movement and rest. Children can run, draw on the walls, or sit in the shade to watch the rain without interruption to their sense of connection with the outdoors. The roof protects from the region’s intense sun and heavy rainfall, creating a microclimate that supports both learning and leisure throughout the year.

Light, Air, and Material Honesty

Material selection plays a crucial role in the project’s success. Locally made brick serves as the primary construction material, chosen for its availability, thermal mass, and tactile quality. Its natural tone anchors the building in the landscape, while its texture provides a sensory connection for children. The use of perforated brick walls in the restroom areas allows light and air to filter through, ensuring natural ventilation and hygiene while maintaining privacy.

The interplay of solid and void throughout the design—seen in the varying window sizes, wall openings, and skylights—creates an architecture of rhythm and transparency. These spatial punctuations not only frame views of the surrounding hills and trees but also animate the interior with soft, diffused daylight, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

The square windows, arranged in multiple sizes and heights, form a playful composition across the façades. For children, they become frames for discovery—small portals through which they can glimpse the world beyond. For the architecture, they establish a pattern that balances visual interest with climatic logic, providing both ventilation and shade.

A Community Effort for a Brighter Future

The realization of Chieng Ban Kindergarten was made possible through the collaboration between 1+1>2 Architects, TOTO Vietnam, and the Gieo Tin Yeu Group. This partnership highlights the transformative potential of socially engaged design. The project replaces what was once a leaky old storage shed with a dignified, functional, and joyful space where 64 children now learn in comfort and safety.

The kindergarten is fully equipped with classrooms, a common activity room, restrooms, and an outdoor playground, creating a complete environment for early education. Every space—from the shaded corridors to the open courtyard—has been designed with children’s scale and movement in mind. Here, they can run, play, rest, and learn in an atmosphere that values both structure and spontaneity.

Beyond its physical form, the project embodies a vision of education that is rooted in community and sustainability. By using local materials and labor, the construction process itself became a form of social participation, reinforcing local identity and skill-building. The architects’ approach demonstrates that even with limited resources, thoughtful design can have a lasting social and environmental impact.

Architecture as Care and Imagination

In essence, Chieng Ban Kindergarten represents an architecture of empathy—an understanding that design for children must respond not only to their physical needs but also to their emotional and imaginative worlds. Through light, air, and openness, the building fosters a daily dialogue between nature and learning.

The project stands as a model for sustainable rural education architecture, proving that quality design need not rely on complexity or costliness. Instead, it thrives on clarity, purpose, and sensitivity. In Chieng Ban, architecture becomes both a teacher and a companion, offering a space where childhood unfolds under an endless sky.

Photography: Son Vu & Trieu Chien