A small yet boldly inviting centre in Japan that uses an existing building

Japanese (and early childhood specialist) architects HIBINOSEKKEI and Youji no Shiro are at it again with the MK-S Nursery - a small (160sqm) centre that inhabits an existing residence and disused 2-storey shop.

Restoring the existing fabric of the building with new ply internal linings and a perforated "starry" metal screen with house and square shaped windows the result is a tidy and yet fun new building for the community's young children.




The low-grade (so cheap) plywood lining walls are thickly framed - allowing deep silled windows to sit in/on and for dividing walls to contain functional storage.




Note the deep sills in which kids can climb up onto and look out at the street. The "hidden" door clad in the same ply and made flush is a clever detail also.

The palette is simple - with ply lining, some painted with shades of blue, engineered timber flooring and plasterboard ceilings - yet rich and warm.

It is a fine example of how to convert an existing dwelling with seemingly little effort into a rich and inviting space for young children.

Via TrendHunter.

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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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A clever and sensitive adaptation of existing buildings into community spaces to be enjoyed by young and old

Designed by FON STUDIO in China, Town Folktales is the first installment of the regeneration of a collection of old 1950s buildings that used to contain a printing plant.

The first two old brick and tile buildings have been cleverly and sensitively re-imagined with a restrained yet bold language of curving white forms and geometric insertions (void and extrusions) playfully adapting the empty space into zones catering to a variety of uses.

Building (or Depot) A's entry features a bold white curving geometric framed form complete with wall-light and signage.

Building (or Depot) B's entry features a square black framed extrusion with green accent internally..

The open and flexible architectural programme include spaces designed for dining, reading and creative activity for the community. 

Love the ribbon-like laminated timber panelling curving around the walls to form bench seating, window shading, book display and cupboard storage.


Book shelving is integrated with the drop-down ceiling bulkhead helping to frame the space, whilst being semi-transparent to allow light and visual hints to permeate through


Folding sleek black steel framed joinery is used to subtly divide space internally.

Materially (and aged) woods are pared wtih contemporary laminated timbers and smooth white plaster.

Overall, Fon Studio have created a winning space for this Chinese Community that is inclusive of all (young and old) whilst protecting and giving new life to a collection of existing and un-used buildings.

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An urban situated centre provides a miniature city for its children

Nestled within urban Sydney, Australia - Darlinghurst is a highly considered and quality centre for early childhood: East Sydney Early Learning Centre.

Designed by Andrew Burges Architects, the project called for adapting an existing 1920s brick warehouse into a 4-storey EC centre and top-floor community space. 

The bridge + outdoor play

Due to a laneway running adjacent to the building - the architects have created a "tree-house" bridge to connect the internal spaces with the outdoor playspaces.

Above: Models showing options for how this connecting bridge might take shape and incorporating the existing trees on site.

The light lattice-type bridge structure appears to float - still allowing plenty of light into the public lane. New sandstone steps were provided leading down from the street.

Once across the connecting bridge you arrive at a deck which delicately preserves the existing trees with powder-coated green and white fencing to stop children falling through.

Below this deck are concrete ramps, turf-surfaces, a sandspit, a 'stage' with windows (or holes through the floor) to the deck above and a gazebo offering shelter and a place to sit.

The 'mini-city' concept

Commonly used by architects when designing EC centres - is the concept of the miniature town or village (see here and here). Varying sized 'houses' are placed within the building framework and thus are able to divide space into varying zones for different functions. The 'left-over' space is used as public squares, streets and pathways for random social interactions and uses.

The concept model above shows the various house shapes that are used to organise the centres' space.

The diagram above showing the 'random' placement of houses and the connection of with the adjacent 'tree-house' bridge and outdoor play space.

Above: the diagram shows the top-floor being kept open to the sky with house forms connecting multiple floors.

An aerial image showing the site's location within Sydney. The early childhood centre could be seen as a metaphorical reflection of its greater context.

Different surface materials further help to break down the space into zones - for walking, sitting, playing....

The top-most storey is partly left open to the sky - with the sandpit envisaged as a central plaza - or meeting space.

The 'houses' providing windows connecting to the outside. Seen above left - a window to the sandspit, and right to the laneway from off the street.

A rich palette of mostly natural materials have been used - stained timbers, pale birch ply, grooved linings, concrete, steel and brick (to name a few).

Signage

Another (very cool) feature is the custom-designed signage - designed by Toko inspired by children's building blocks.

The signage works to reflect the language of both modern modular architecture which is broken down into purist forms; as well as reflecting the seeds of early childhood - the Froebel system of play objects or 'gifts' to aid in a child's development through creative play - read more on this here and here.

The plan and wall elevations above investigate how the various spaces will be used and moved through - considering materiality and scale.

A big congratulations must be made to East Sydney Learning and Andrew Burges Architects for a highly considered approach to designing for EC in what is a tricky existing site.


Via ArchDaily, Dezeen and BPO.

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