DAYCARE CENTER
The aim of this project is to create spaces that help in children's cognitive growth and support self-directed play. It is essential that a growing child is aware of their physical limits. The idea is to create a playscape that caters to a child's ability to communicate, explore, and figure things out.
The organic form helps a child's ability to think; central collective play encourages communication; and open play spaces give the child a sense of freedom and liberty.
The circular form of the structure keeps the movement of children in a continuous loop so that the play does not stop.
Upon entering the structure, a curved ramp directs the user into the space, leveling the user up to a platform where a water body is present behind a brick wall that acts as a visual buffer; however, the sound of running water initiates curiosity in the user about the space.
The water fountain area has a sitting area for the children and the guardians with an open view to the nursery where they can see the young ones crawling and playing while creating a nostalgic smell with water and concrete flooring.
In the center is a sandbox, with a tree as the main focus of the structure. The sandbox is placed in the center to act as a meeting spot for collaborative and imaginative play among the children.
The structure becomes a part of the child's tactile play, leading it up towards a net play area that connects the indoor play area beneath it while being connected to the outdoor play areas visually.
The kitchen has a serving area on the upper level that is connected to a vegetation area where children can learn about growing vegetables and fruits. A sitting area is provided beside the serving area, where the children eat as they please.
Every child catering area is connected to one another through paths, tunnels, and bridge.
A tunnel that connects the outdoor play area to the central play area and the classroom with a textured stone wall gives the child the feeling of a cave.
The outdoor play area is made of recycled rubber molded into a sunken and mounded play area with tunnels for crawling in the mounds. The rubber play area is connected to the upper level through a slide and bridge that run around a tree; this view is framed at the entrance.
Project By:
ZARA AHMED | FABIHA ALAVI | MUHAMMAD ZAIN UL ABIDIN
