Singapore has one of the best and most unique public housing cultures in the world. And that could only work when it is also supported by the best facilities, one of which is the childcare centre.
To fulfil the demands for these centres, the government has launched (and planned to build more) large scale childcare centres that could house up to 1,000 children and supporting staff.
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Designed by LAUD Architects, the PCF Sparkletots Large Preschool at Punggol is crowned as one of the Design of the Year architecture projects at the President’s Design Award this year.
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Matthew Yeo -
Eugene Aw
We learn more from LAUD Architect’s directors Eugene Aw and Matthew Yeo about designing learning spaces for children.
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What are some of the most important considerations in designing learning spaces for children?
EA (Eugene Aw): One of the key considerations is to create a joyful learning environment with consideration of safety for the children and an emphasis on a comfortable and sustainable environment.
Compared to typical void deck childcare centres, a stand-alone purpose-built mega childcare centre provides the opportunity to create an ideal childhood educational space and benefit from the economies of scale by consolidating the facilities and play areas.
It is also important for the children not to be isolated from the natural environment. The large canopy over the central space was our strategy to create a semi-outdoor environment for the children that is comfortable under all weather conditions.
The space must also allow effective adult supervision. Circulation spaces overlooking the central space promoted interaction amongst the children while being highly effective for indirect supervision.
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MY (Matthew Yeo): We wanted to create classroom and play spaces that support the teaching methods of early childhood educators. Unlike a primary school where most of the learning happens in the classroom, childcare education emphasises experiential learning, including vestibular, tactile, proprioceptive, visual, and auditory learning.
For a centre with 1,000 children, disease outbreak control was another major concern. The concern was for hand-foot-and-mouth disease back then, but the same principles apply to Covid-19 in today’s context.
Our design had to minimise cross infections during disease outbreaks, and we did this by designing classrooms into sectors with secondary entry points. This allowed individual sectors to be isolated and closed-off without affecting the operation of the rest of the centre.
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What is the major difference in design compared to designing a space for adults?
EA: The different perceptions of scale. We were aware that the 40m diameter of the central playspace can be intimidating for young children.
So we designed the three-point bridge to reduce the scale and create varied intimate play spaces for the children.
This bridge connects directly to each classroom sector. Shared facilities such as the multi-purpose hall, culinary room, music/ gym room and art room are located below the bridge.
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MY: We also had to develop an attention to the details at the scale of the children. An example would be using colour as a more intuitive way for children to recognise their classroom. Based on this idea, we designed a coloured ring on the floor along the corridor.
The colour transitions are based on the colours of the rainbow, with the corresponding colours used on the ceiling and signages of the classrooms.
![hero-image-12_typical-classroom-350dpi-1024x431-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/hero-image-12_typical-classroom-350dpi-1024x431-1.jpg)
What makes a piece of furniture suitable for children?
MY: The maintainability and hygiene of the materials. Good furniture should also allow flexibility and multiple uses. A great object is one that can generate interest and can stir up their imagination.
“It is also important for the children not to be isolated from the natural environment.“
Eugene aw, laud architects
How do you think children’s spaces will evolve in the near future?
EA: With the pandemic, space norms have evolved. For example, spaced out washbasins, and individual shower cubicles may be introduced. Practical considerations such as handwashing bays and sanitation points will also have to be considered at every activity space.
MY: Since before the pandemic, we have observed a transition away from classroom learning towards outdoor experiential learning. Moving forward, we think there will be greater emphasis on naturally ventilated semi-outdoor spaces and more opportunities for experientially exciting spaces of different volumes and textures.
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What makes a shared space with children at home great?
EA: I have seven-year-old twin girls. In designing the shared workspace at home, care was taken to allow for sufficient and fluid spaces for work, study and play.
From my observation, a great domestic shared space should be able to provide flexibility for children to play and express themselves whilst not being too instructive in the type of play.
This could be achieved by providing writable surfaces for free expression and even lighting control where children can control the ambience of the space.
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