WINDSOR ROYAL SCHOOL

LOCATION:
nonhyun-dong, gangnam-gu, seoul, korea

AREA:
245.50 sq.m (interior) + 130.80 sq.m (exterior)

CHRONOLOGY:
design period: 2014.05 - 07
construction period: 2014.06 - 08

KEY MATERIALS:
cushion floor, color MDF, birch plywood, pine timber, paint over concrete, vinyl paint over drywall, synthetic grass

DESCRIPTION:
Windsor Royal School is an English-language pre-kindergarten to kindergarten located in the Gangnam district of Seoul. Rather than dividing the space into conventional classrooms with partition walls, the design takes advantage of the existing ceiling height, leaving it fully exposed to create a more open and spatially engaging environment.

Individual classrooms are conceived as small “houses,” each defined by its own roof form beneath the open ceiling. These houses are arranged around a central courtyard, which functions as the main shared play area. The exposed ceiling above the courtyard is painted a soft sky blue, reinforcing the idea of an outdoor space and giving the children a sense of openness and freedom within an enclosed interior.

Bright colors and natural birch plywood are used throughout to introduce warmth, playfulness, and a subtle connection to nature. The spatial sequence is intentionally simple and intuitive: during playtime, students gather in the central courtyard, and when activities conclude, they return to their individual classroom houses. The result is an environment that balances structure and freedom, encouraging both learning and play through spatial experience.