Abstract nature creation for preschoolers in Brooklyn,
New York City and Los Angeles-based architecture practice, Palette Architecture,
has created an abstract landscape for a pre-school in Brooklyn, US.
Named after the Wonderforest Nature Preschool, the 334 square meter space has been described as
“the first indoor space of its kind”.
It offers a unique new concept that raises the bar for nature education.
The project Location
Located in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, the school is a nature-focused preschool that promotes nature-based learning programs at Brooklyn Nature Days.
It provides outdoor forestry education for children between the ages of 2 and 4.
Educating about nature from an early age is very important,
especially at this moment when the younger generations are facing increasing environmental challenges.
As a complement to the school’s innovative program of outdoor excursions to nearby Prospect Park,
we have strived to take the spirit of this style of education and bring it indoors.
Abstract nature
Conceived as a “first of its kind” facility, Palette Architecture faced in the design process a series of challenges associated with bringing nature into the built environment of an urban storefront.
The firm’s approach began by focusing on how the principles of the Forest School fit into the physical constraints of the built environment.
Adopting a strategy of abstract nature,
they set out to seek to replicate the palette and textures of nature through simplified biophilic forms that would enable children to learn through interactions with water,
trees, dirt, and collective landscapes.
The designers wanted the core play areas to be designed to provide the same set of experiences found in the amusement parks.
Layering of unique experiences
Focusing on storefront features, Palette seized opportunities to incorporate natural light, create visual connections,
and create different levels of privacy.
A welcome area located along the storefront window, surrounded by open play spaces,
takes advantage of natural light to create a welcoming atmosphere for passers-by.
The concept centered around the process of layering spaces to create pockets of activity and privacy,
resulting in a series of sectional changes that promote exploration, and a private layer containing classrooms and support spaces.
To brighten interior spaces lacking in natural light,
Palette installed acoustic interior windows that also provide views from the corridor where staff can supervise activities without distracting children from their experiences.
Much thought has gone into the concept of the journey along a wandering path of wonder imbued with abstract figures from nature.
The tracks are surrounded by levels of free play and exploration,
as well as open spaces where children can share their adventures in a collaborative environment.
A winding road of discovery and adventure
Separating the public and private layers of Wonder forest,
the winding path acts as a flowing connection between distinct environments: The Forest, The Greenhouse, and The Wetlands.
The path extends inward from the welcome area,
embarking on a journey inspired by natural principles and the flow of water as it weaves its way along the edges of the classrooms and into the forest perimeter.
The spacious, open play area, The Forest,
also includes swings set against a backdrop featuring rolling green hills of artificial grass and abstract tree shapes.
Recycled materials and sustainably harvested timber lay the foundations for a sustainable Wonderforest environment,
where changes in topography and materiality, under the glow of suspended LED lighting,
enhance a sense of wonder and adventure.
Further along the winding path, the illumination of the bay turns upwards in an undulating roof above as the journey moves towards The Greenhouse,
a narrow section defined by tall windows and a thick layer of vegetation.
A variety of plant species provide educational experiences for children,
who engage in their careful care and development along the path as it curves and descends around the wetlands.
In contrast to the more formal demeanor of the other areas,
The Wetland is a durable wetland space that encourages children to indulge in tactile play and sensory explorations that focus on buoyancy, dynamics and creativity.
A child-sized water table and mud kitchen contribute to playful,
chaotic adventures that capture the essence of the pond garden experiences.
Much work has been done to find ways to seamlessly integrate the built environment into the natural environments,
but this project succeeded in reversing that flow by drawing nature into an urban environment.
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