In the bustling city of Yantai, Shandong Province, DEYA Day Care and After-School Center offers a refreshing departure from conventional childcare environments. Designed by 11-Design for children aged 6 to 12, this 270-square-meter space reimagines learning and rest through the enchanting, yet rigorously practical, concept of the “tent”. The result is a low-cost, highly imaginative interior that prioritizes child-centric design, safety, and a profound sense of belonging.
Faced with the challenge of making each child feel secure and valued, 11-Design rejected standard partitions. Instead, they developed a bespoke custom tent system as the fundamental spatial unit. Recognizing that off-the-shelf solutions were inefficient, the team engineered structures from orange metal frames, off-white canvas, integrated lighting, and timber platforms. These tents transcend mere shelter; they embody freedom, exploration, and fun, creating intimate nooks for reading and resting. “We were able to… fulfill our dream of creating a truly playful space for children,” reflects Li Xiaosi, Co-Founder of 11-Design.
The ingenuity extends to the spatial organization. Elevated timber platforms of varying heights establish a dynamic stepped layout, allowing the tents to cascade playfully. This clever arrangement tackles existing floor level differences while naturally introducing climbing routes and paths for exploration. Demonstrating multi-functionality, the platform edges ingeniously double as open bookshelves for easy access, transforming effortlessly into cozy beds for naptime. Every element serves a clear purpose.
Material honesty is central to the project’s philosophy. 11-Design utilized only cost-effective, locally sourced materials: primarily plywood, canvas, and those distinctive orange steel pipes. Despite budget constraints, close collaboration with local metal fabricators ensured high-quality execution. Crucially, the structural logic of the tents is visibly comprehensible even to children, demystifying construction and aligning with the designers’ pursuit of an “aesthetic of honesty”. This approach avoids superfluous decoration, letting the modular design system and integrated lighting serve both aesthetic and functional purposes inherently.
The coherence extends to every detail. Desks, blackboard stands, handles, cup holders, and lights all adhere to the same material palette and construction principles, forming a coherent and recognizable visual system. Tables cleverly break tradition – a simple wooden board on a frame becomes a desk, while an angled plane transforms into a picture book stand. These subtle design moves encourage children to rethink the essence of everyday objects, protecting their innate creativity by freeing forms from fixed expectations. “I hoped for a community children’s reading space — a place that is fun, inspiring, and full of imagination,” explains Cao Rong, Co-Founder of 11-Design.
Located on the third floor with west-facing windows overlooking tree-lined streets, the space embraces natural light and greenery. Minimal shading and ventilation preserve the raw beauty of the surroundings. Practical needs are met thoughtfully: the teacher’s office and reception near the entrance feature circular openings for easy supervision; a central “wooden box” acts as both a partition and a cozy reading nook for waiting parents; and service areas like the kitchen and restroom are efficiently tucked into windowless zones, maximizing circulation.
DEYA stands as a compelling study in high-impact design at low cost. Through modular thinking, basic materials, and highly integrated systems, 11-Design crafted a space that is both rational and warm, proving luxury materials aren’t essential for creating magic. Every functional element and thoughtful detail reflects a deep engagement with the needs of growing children. “We love embracing design challenges. Even if the solutions are sometimes clumsy or handmade, they carry a sense of warmth and craft,” adds Cao Rong. In this imaginative environment, playful tents foster not just security, but a world of wonder, demonstrating the infinite possibilities within thoughtful, honest design constraints.