The Flance Early Childhood Center in St Louis, Missouri has recently been completed. Designed by
Trivers Associates the centre demonstrates a high quality build and an emphasis on promoting a healthy community.
The centre, offering a community garden for all to look after and enjoy not only reaches out to the wider neighbourhood but teaches children about nurturing natural life and then enjoying healthy eating.
The kitchen and dining areas (number 7 in the plan below) has been designed as a space for "demonstrations" - showing children and their families how to create delicious healthy food.
Whilst a "wellness and community classroom" (number 6 above) is another facility that caters for the wider community promoting wellness and acts as a space for hosting community events.
The building's design combines an approach that is both serious (or sophisticated), yet has an element of fun and lightness.
The diagram below shows the architect's consideration into how the current areas buildings might better cater to children's needs. The designed porch providing a connection between inside and out, whilst acting further as a transitory space for play.
Inside a select colour scheme and surface graphics serve to define boundaries and space, while injecting fun and play.
Outside the dynamic porch balcony, playful feature structural columns, landscaping, colour and material palette (including perforated steel and protruding bricks) combine to create a thoughtful and considered design for it's young users and the wider community.
Via
Trivers Associates.