A kindergarten built around its playground in Hanoi

In a crowded older neighbourhood of Hanoi, Nghia Do Kindergarten has made space for childhood by building around a big open courtyard. The school, designed by Sunjin Vietnam Joint Venture Company, has 20 classrooms for about 600 children on a site of just over 5,300 square metres.

The classrooms are elliptical, arranged in a ring around a triangular playground. That ring shields the children from the noise, dust and traffic of the surrounding alleys, and the curves have practical benefits too. There are no blind corners, so teachers can see across the playground, and the gaps between the volumes let breezes flow through. Each classroom has two doors: one for adults and a smaller one sized for children, so they can come and go on their own.

The corridors are wrapped in multicoloured louvres. They keep out heat and noise while letting in plenty of daylight, and as the sun moves they scatter bands of colour and shadow across the floors. Up top, a planted roof adds more green space and a winding play area.

It isn't a place to visit, but it's a joyful reminder that good design for children starts with light, air and room to run.

Our summary of a story from designboom, published 26 September 2026. Read the original

Photos: designboom · See all 8