Studio Y exemplify the importance that play has on the education of minors through the innovative design of Elsternwick’s new Lamdeni Community Learning Centre.
October 1st, 2014
“Play has been approached by several theorists as the first form of learning,” points out Dana Goldberg, interior designer at Studio Y – one of the three collaborators of this project. “It is pivotal for childrens’ development, since they make meaning of their environment through play.”
CH architects (building architecture), Danny Rosenberg of Clemantina (industrial design) and Yaron Kanor of Studio Y (interior design) expand on this theory in a nurturing and positive but also playful way, for the newly developed Lamdeni Community Learning Centre in Elsternwick, Victoria.
The various spaces of the crèche, for age three to thirteen year olds, are a positive interpretation of day care facilities, where everything from custom furniture, joinery items, fixtures, finishes reflect “the building’s purpose, its occupants (children) and its local community”. Without being overly literal or obvious, the motifs and elements such as the custom made tree scattered throughout the communal areas carry symbolic meaning and help to reinforce the design philosophy.
The space is a prime example of the fresh new-generation childcare facilities “innovative, playful and inspiring for children, with certain educational themes,” Goldberg explains – reiterating the opportunities the space affords for the early stages of children education.
Interactive furnishings transport otherwise ordinary rooms into ‘hide and seek’ atmospheres, for example, with vibrant walls decked in felt and peep holes and colour. Not only appealing to the children aesthetically, this sense of play embedded in design promotes “interaction and imagination. A multi-sensory and hands-on experience has been created for all of the children – embracing a love of learning and the quest for knowledge.”
Interestingly, “the interior fit-out is a direct contrast to the local urban street scape surrounding,” explains Goldberg – a point that emphasises the Centre as a positive haven. “The design intent was to create a happy, bright, playful and safe environment,” Goldberg continues.
As joyful as designing for children might be, creating spaces specialised for a certain age group isn’t an easy task – involving hours of laborious research in order to specify the environment’s safety and security and ultimately the development taking three years.
The pioneering interiors certainly echo the central mission strongly: “to provide an environment which nurtures creativity and the love of learning.” The Lamdeni Community Centre speculates a new era of playful daycare facilities.
Lamdeni
lamdeni.org
Y studios
studioy.com.au
CH architects
charchitects.com.au
Clemantina
clemantina.com.au
Images courtesy of Ashley Feldman
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
Journey alongside Australian designer Ross Didier as he introduces a new chapter in the magical folklore of his iconic FABLE Collection.
An exciting new collaboration involving Autex Acoustics, Willie Weston and Lisa Waup colourfully brings First Nations design to high-performance acoustics.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
We spoke with Tilt’s Managing and Creative Director about industrial design, innovative technology and wellbeing within education spaces.
In this comment piece, Gray Puksand’s National Managing Partner, Nik Tabain, outlines some anticipated trends for this year.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
We hear from the GA Group Marketing Executive about how the neighbouring forest reserve, local culture, art and sustainability create a unique boutique hotel with a sense of place.
In what is a growing workplace precinct, Fieldwork has wrapped a distinctive skin of operable screens around this office block.