In Progress
Imagine if Aotearoa's estimated population of 5.3 million people in 2050 were closely connected to nature from a young age. In designing this concept, we were inspired by The Māori Worldview - where everything living and non-living is to be interconnected.
Our Challenge: To design a biophilic childcare centre that improves health and wellbeing, regenerates its natural resources and acts as a transparent teaching tool for our Tamariki.
Our Solution: To design 'good space' for children to grow, learn and cultivate their long term wellness with more natural connection and regenerative systems; using 'Circular-by-Design' methodology.
We’re set to radically redesign the early childcare education model with our expertise in wellness architecture, circular economy thinking and a closer connection to nature. Our solution is a total system approach that uses circular design principles to optimise every aspect of physical spaces, learning experiences, curriculums and resources for the children, teachers and communities of Aotearoa.
The project was conceptualised during our time at Xlabs in 2020, a Circular Economy Summit.
Click here to view the case study.
_Collaborators:
Architect / Smith Architects
Circular + Sustainability / Go Well Consulting
_Village Green Early Learning Centre
NEW DEVELOPMENT / REMUERA
Good_Space Method
-
Natural Ventilation through the building design
Open spaces promotes time in fresh air, connecting the children explore the outdoor playscape no matter the weather
Mitigation of toxins in materials and furnishings used across both the construction + interiors
-
Circular design strategies to capture rainwater to use across building systems and water-play
We promote the consumption of the purest possible H2O through fun + clever messaging around the centre
Info-graphics will display the rain water capture stats, inspiring mini eco-advocates within the centre
-
Plentiful natural light via the large north-facing sliding doors
The best source of artificial light that supports healthy circadian rhythm
3k lighting in the sleep rooms adds to the calm and dream-like environment, promoting healthy sleep routines
Avoiding glare and high-reflective surfaces throughout the spaces
Surprising rainbow moments through prism-cut glazing in the windows and skylights
-
Biophilic Design is at the very core of this concept
‘Children in Nature’ as our guiding principle though our design enables us to:
Reduce stress and fatigue
Promote creativity + imagination
Teach responsibility + resilience
Build confidence + independence
The interior design brings in the symmetry, textures + colours of nature through natural wood elements, wall colours, cabinetry, rugs + furniture
-
Free address of space, quiet/calm zones for the tamariki who need them to soothe themselves + decompress
Non-contact space for teachers to promote a focused and productive environment
Construction and Interior elements to have high acoustic performance properties, absorbing loud sounds + soften the space
-
Item description
“Jade and I collaborated during XLabs. Through our shared passion of Wellness Architecture and the Circular Economy, we designed a model for a restorative early childhood centre. It’s resulted in not just a concept, but an actual project that we’ve designed for a site in Remuera.”
Phil Smith / Architect
More Good_Spaces…
