International School of Beijing Design

Children playing amidst dragons, boulders, water, pagodas and courtyards may not realize they’re actually learning. This outdoor learning environment provides a rich variety of spaces, inspired by the arrangement of traditional Chinese towns. It has a series of courtyards, each with a unique focus—math, geography, archaeology, science, performance, games and art—and unique character expressed in entry gates, walls, play areas and distinctive planting. The spaces provide formal and informal learning opportunities, spaces for active and quiet activities, and provide teachers with a wide range of curricular options. The area also integrates the cultural heritage of China with traditional Chinese styles and symbols, and a dragon that greets students and undulates atop a richly colored wall.