NEW PLA(Y)CES OF LEARNING AND EXCHANGE: A PROTOTYPE TOWARDS EDUCATIONAL SPACES FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS IN A MODERN CONTEXT

Abstract

Presently, there are lack of programs, services and indoor places in central Halifax for children (aged 0 – 6) and the caregivers who stay home with them. This thesis proposes the design of two casual “soft play based” drop-in centres for families. Each one is tested architecturally in different urban environments for different client groups. In each case, a set of design strategies is introduced that address the unique maritime climatic and cultural conditions or the area. Rooted in philosophies of early years pedagogy, they set up dynamic programmatic combinations that take into account the needs of children, but also consider the needs of adults. Each example varies in scale and ambition and serves to build a prototype of possible interventions that introduce a typology as a strategy to inform and improve options for early years educational environments.