― Early Learning Centers
Scaling design to the smallest learners
Contents
Introduction ― 4 Selected Projects ― 8
Front Cover: The Nest, Los Angeles, California Left: Hello Baby, Chicago, Illinois
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― Early Learning Centers
The smallest details Both size and scale are important to a child’s perception of space. From the height of the window sills to the height of the case work, we work to organize large buildings into smaller, more comprehensible components.
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Early Learning Centers
An integrated focus on children, teachers, and parents. From the earliest moments, the places we associate with our formative experiences form a lasting impression in our memories. Thoughtful design leads to an appreciation of the built and natural environment, which will be carried into adulthood. It is important to incorporate views as well as direct physical connections to the outdoors from indoor environments. Natural light, sustainable materials, and soothing colors contribute to a nurturing indoor setting.
← The Nest, Los Angeles, California
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― Early Learning Centers
Selected Projects
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The Nest Los Angeles, California Client: Hope Street Margolis Family Center Size: 2,300 square feet interior space (13,574 square meters), 3,500 square feet, outdoor space Completion Date: 2021
― WHAT IT IS
A free downtown Los Angeles preschool that empowers homeless families to thrive.
Bursts of color, from neon orange and teal to a grass-like green, bring a fun vibrancy to the environment.
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The Nest
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← Why “The Nest?” The name refers to a close-knit, nurturing environment. Low, curved walls and a felt curtain reminiscent of bird feathers separate the spaces, while recycled cord flooring and more felt in the light fixtures aid sound absorption.
― VICKIE KROPENSKE, HOPE STREET MARGOLIS FAMILY CENTER
“The design is so thoughtful in all the ways you want to see in a facility for young children.”
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Hello Baby Chicago, Illinois Client: Debbie Frisch, Founder, Hello Baby Size: 1,000 square feet (92 square meters) Completion Date: 2017 Awards: 2017 AIGA (re)design Award, Social Sustainability
― WHAT IT IS
A developmentally appropriate play space for children living in a “Play Desert.”
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Hello Baby
Outside, new bicycle racks double as overflow stroller parking, with custom sidewalk graphics to convey this unconventional use.
Left: The design responds to the scale and world-view of children.
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Cayman International School, Early Childhood Center Cayman Islands Client: Cayman International School Size: 146,110 square feet (13,574 square meters) Completion Date: Ongoing
― WHAT IT IS
The Pre-K building and high school are designed to inspire lifelong learners from nearly thirty nations.
A campus expansion that nearly doubles its capacity while reinforcing bonds with the local community.
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Marin Primary and Middle School Corte Madera, California Client: Marin Primary and Middle School Size: 88,000 square feet (8,175 square meters) Completion Date: Ongoing
― WHAT IT IS
A master plan for growth and new facilities for an independent K-8 day school.
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Marin Primary and Middle School
The play area features a variety of different structures, seating, and a functioning water pump.
Left: Outdoor play area with views of Mount Tamalpais.
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Marco Polo Children’s School Irvine, California Client: Marco Polo Children’s School Size: 12,885 square feet (1,197 square meters) Interior Renovation and Addition, 11,700 square feet (1,086 square meters) Improvement of Outdoor Play Area Completion Date: 2019
― WHAT IT IS
A program that combines Mandarin dual immersion with a Reggio Emilia–inspired pedagogy to create an inspiring environment of wonder and discovery.
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Children’s Pavilion Langley, British Columbia Client: Peregrine House School Size: 1,200 square feet (111 square meters) Completion Date: 2016
― WHAT IT IS
A 1,200-square-foot modular learning environment inspired by Perkins&Will’s Sprout SpaceTM.
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Children’s Pavilion
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← Large doors and clerestory windows, an abundance of natural light, an open floor plan, and flexibility that allows for a variety of teaching methods and seating configurations.
― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
The first of its kind in the nation, this revolutionary sustainable modular learning environment encourages healthy and engaging learning. 29
Urbana Early Childhood School, Dr. Preston L. Williams Jr. Elementary School Connecting Addition Urbana, Illinois Client: Urbana School District 116 Size: 55,000 square feet (5,109 square meters) Completion Date: 2013 Awards: Award of Distinction, IASB, 2015
― WHAT IT IS
This school serves students between ages three and five and provides at-risk and special education services.
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Understanding the important link to natural environments, each classroom has easy access to outdoor play areas for a variety of experiences..
Urbana Early Childhood School, Dr. Preston L. Williams Jr. Elementary School Connecting Addition
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The addition is comprised of three discreet fourclassroom “villages” organized adjacent to shared program spaces.
― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
A thoughtful reimagining of turn-of-the-century facilities into child-centric environments based on best practices in designing for young children. 33
Barrington Early Learning Center Barrington, Illinois Client: Barrington Community Unit School District 220 Size: 37,000 square feet (3,437 square meters) Completion Date: 2010
― WHAT IT IS
This Early Learning Center accommodates students from three to four years of age, many of whom have special needs.
← Safe without sacrificing openness, this sustainable facility emphasizes nature with interior design elements and by providing each classroom direct access to a private outdoor play area.
→ Classroom villages create a self-contained school area.
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Captivating school environments that cultivate young minds.
LET’S COLLABORATE
Have an early learning center design need? K12Education@perkinswill.com
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Marco Polo Children’s School Irvine, California
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Since 1935, we’ve believed that design has the power to make the world a better, more beautiful place.
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That’s why clients and community members on nearly every continent partner with us to design healthy, happy places in which to live, learn, work, play, and heal. We’re passionate about human-centered design, and how design can impact our lives through sustainability, resilience, well-being, diversity and inclusion, and mobility. And we’re committed to advancing design through research. As a matter of fact, in 2018, Fast Company named us one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in Architecture. Our team of 2,500 professionals provides worldwide interdisciplinary services in architecture, interior design, branded environments, urban design, landscape architecture, and more, and includes our partners Portland, Nelson\Nygaard, Genesis Planning, and Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR).
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For more information, contact: K12Education@perkinswill.com