Winner: Civic building of the year 2021 My Montessori Garden is a steel-framed preschool located in Ha Long City, Vietnam by studio HGAA.

Montessori is an educational method originating in Europe in the early 20th century that has been developing in Vietnam in recent years. This method respects the independence of children, creates an environment for them to explore and feel the world through their own senses. My Montessori Garden is a Montessori-oriented preschool.

The school was previously being used as a community vegetable garden and is now a natural space for children. The surrounding steel mesh allows for plants to climb over the building.

Judges comments: "The simplicity of the plan and the complexity of the inside and outside works really well for the children. The building is drawn to the scale of the kids: micro scale, micro nature, micro levels. The kids look so happy!"

Architect: HGAA
Project:  My Montessori Garden