A school in Brazil that embodies the idea of the architecture as playing a vital role in learning

The Wish School in Brazil serving children aged 2 to 4 years of age is passionate about children's' learning - and has, since January been awarded by the Edumission Challenge as one of the 10 most innovative educational institutions in the world.

Spaces of welcome and retreat or reflection are included.

"Education is a process of transformation, of inner growth, in which we discover the world around us and the world discovers us as well. Education is an exchange, a subjective process lived in the moment in which each one perceives himself learning something new"   (Eduardo Shimahara)

Their belief is that education must be approached holistically - that is encompassing all elements of the individual child - emotional, social, cultural, creative, physical and spiritual. 

It was thus important for the environment (or architecture) to reflect or or enable the educators and students to "act out" and inhabit this vision to its full potential.

Rotational furniture "pods" inhabit many functions - from dividing space to containing storage and elements of play (with curtains for puppet shows).

The architects collaborated with both students and teachers to define the brief and ensure the architecture reflects their powerful pedagogy.

Designed by Grupo Garoa Architects the resulting architecture is a unique example of an intensive collaboration between the educator and their pedagogy (or educational vision), the children (or students) themselves and the designers.


Careful consideration was paid to the building's transitional spaces (i.e. inside to outside) - creating memorable experiences when traveling from one space to another.

A variety of textural surfaces and materials are used indoors and out to enrich the childrens' learning.

The architects worked within an existing shed-like and industrial building "container" - in which to "house" the pedagogical elements of "rooms" or room-dividing elements. Rather than using traditional walls, ceiling and floors, zones were created through the use of informal furnishing "pods" which are cleverly fixed to the building's structural beams and are allowed to move or rotate as the spatial needs of the spaces are determined.


Natural lighting is used to its fullest potential through the use of internal courtyards and atriums with skylights over.


A variety of spaces cater for all types of learning - from group collective work to more individual or quiet.

Physical and social interaction is encouraged with the diverse spatial arrangements, the many connecting stairs and atriums and blurred internal to external boundaries (with bountiful natural gardens, natural light wells, and courtyards).


Via ArchDaily.

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Castle & Cubby

 

It was the kindergarten pioneer Friedrich Froebel who noted (in 1893) “play [as] the highest phase of child development”. Going on to elaborate that “play at this time is not trivial, it is highly serious and of deep significance… The plays of childhood are the germinal leaves of all later life.”

It is a notion that is often ignored (or forgotten) as lives get busier and “free-time” is spent sitting in front of some “techy” device. It is promising therefore that there are those who are beginning to rise against allowing this new “norm” - with movements popping up such as forest or “outdoor” schools, adventure parks and playgrounds, and in the creation of back-yard “cubbies” such as these picturesque examples by Melbourne-based ‘Castle and Cubby’.

Kellie and Jonathan Stores began their ‘Castle & Cubby’ business when pregnant with their second child and were inspired to create sustainable (so no bright plastics!) products for their little people with BIG imaginations.

Above, a farmers market inspired cubby.

Made from (mostly) recycled apple crates, their products aim to inspire kids’ imaginations by providing a space for them to mimic the world they live in. Having two young ones means they are constantly inspired as they watch the real-life games enacted by their kids - they are always creating, designing and testing new ideas in the backyard.

As Kellie says: “We are passionate about creating spaces not just for children but for families to connect and be reminded of what good old fashioned outdoor fun is.” Activities that inspire sharing, role-playing, interacting, creating stories and dreams. The cubbies, whilst each being uniquely hand-crafted have taken the form of farmer’s market producers to grocery shopkeepers and baristas, beach ice-cream carts and more.

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Amanenomori Nursery

 

The three-storey Amenenomori Nursery designed by Aisaka Architects' Atelier in Japan, places "play" at its core - with a grassy "green" including mound, ponds with miniature wharfs over and a sandpit, ladder and slide connecting the ground with the terraced deck level above.

Seen above, one side of the grassy mound features a climbing wall. 

Administrative spaces are aligned along the centre's entry allowing views to the playground and ensuring visual surveillance.

A key design characteristic is the fantastic decked rooftop and gardens, offering views over the inner courtyard play area and out to the surrounding neighbourhood.

The architects chose to keep the material palette natural and minimal, opting instead to celebrate the essence of the material - the natural weathered patina of timber, the cold and unforgiving hardness of steel.

The Level 1 deck leads up to a Level 2 top-storey - with terraced steps leading up like a mountain.

Internally, the neutral and minimal material palette continues. Ambient light, including natural light wells and narrow spaces offers natural cross-ventilation, creating a comfortable and healthy environment.

Seen above left, light dances across the right wall leading from ground floor to the L2 roof above.

The design with its many decks, stairs, ramps and bridges and tilting, curving planes (floors and walls) allow for a multitude of spatial experiences.

Meal times in early education & care in Japan play an important role in the day. Seen above, a window set at the children's height allow them to witness how food is prepared. On the rooftop, a vegetable and herb garden teaches children about how food is produced (and grown).

3D diagrams showing the concept - 1) Inner green 2) wrapping climbing floor around the inner green 3) external walls to cloak the interior with cuts allowing controlled exterior elements inside.

Section through mound (on left) and the levels with rooftop terrace (decks and gardens) on top. The architects integrated environmental principles into their design making the most of the natural sun, air (cross-ventilation), rain (with harvesting and recycling tanks), thermal (under-ground) heat storage and light (among others).

The architects (as often displayed in Japanese architecture) have at Amamenomori Nursery successfully utilised space. Maximising the potential for social connectivity / inclusion and in encouraging active exploration and physical movement, whilst also creating a safe and comfortable environment for the young children.

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A Small woodland nursery in Germany

 
I would love to see this nursery photographed with a hubbarb of children in it. We can however, imagine what it MIGHT be like; tranquil, what with it being surrounded by lush greenery, the inside featuring natural timber and daylight. While it’s decentralised plan connecting spaces (indoors and out) will be providing a feeling of connectivity, community and a buzz of activity.

Timber decks, floor to ceiling glazing and a central garden at the building’s core or “heart” are other features of this nursery in Hamburg, Germany.

Designed by office Kraus Schoenberg the new centre caters for newborns to children of 3 years of age.

Influenced by the small scale of local residences surrounding the area, the early childhood centre is arranged into a cluster of units accommodating different functions around a central shared core. This ensures “everyone is able to see each other through the cloister-like central space” says architect Timm Schoenberg (source).

The glazed garden within is surrounded by open space for active play, whilst its walls feature ply “cubbies”, benches and large deeply inset windows in which to sit and admire the views to the outdoors.

Wood is used throughout as the material of choice for its tactile qualities. Glue-laminated beams supported by timber columns form the exposed ceiling and structure, whilst Finnish plywood is used for the joinery and linings internally. Externally, rough-sawn larch boards seem to justify the buildings right to be here, enabling it to weather with the surrounding trees with time and use.

Via Dezeen and Inhabitat.

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A centre in Chicago which offers children a chance to interact first-hand with the world

 

Instead of the usual bombardment of bright colours and plastic play equipment, this child centre offers children opportunity to discover natural phenomena in the natural world. 

The UChicago Child Development Center in Stony Island designed by Wheeler Kearns chose minimally processed materials for its construction and a z-shaped plan, optimising daylight and providing plenty of access to the outdoors (of which have a footprint larger than the building itself).

The eastern wing, clad in tree bark, is designed for infants and toddlers. The bark is constantly drawing attention, the architect Larry Kearns says, noting that people "always want to come up and touch it."

The western wing is clad in unpainted cement board siding serving children up to 5 years old.


A gently folding roof (half of which is covered with vegetation) shows exposed steel beams and tray decking under, whilst internally and clerestory windows provide ample natural light. 

At the centre of these two wings is the building's entrance and heart. The journey to which is characterised with monumental boulders, a gabion stone fence and ornamental trees providing a sensual and memorable experience upon the child's arrival.

The projects' architects Wheeler Kearns were influenced by the historic Jackson Park across the road designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1871, whose principles of freedom of movement and natural equality were to create a unified and total work of art were expressed with winding and inviting paths. Further to this was the idea of 'free association' - therefore giving expression to areas that encourage socialisation or meeting places. (For more on Olmstead's parks see here).

Rather than grand design statements, the architecture offers subtle variety and an abundance of texture to encourage many types of play and learning experiences.

Says the AIA (2005 Design Excellence Awards): "[the centres' design] emphasizes the natural landscape over the built one [including] different surfaces inviting children to crawl, roll, ride, climb and walk - to learn about their five senses while interacting with nature."

And when it rains, the water falling onto that roof is purposely spilled into splash tanks, which divert the stormwater. It becomes like a fountain, Kearns explains, demonstrating a natural phenomenon to the city kids playing inside the center.


Here, the built environment not only encourages children to interact with nature, they are willed into valuing it.

Project submitted by Wheeler Kearns Architects.

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