Caitlyn Clancy Ortiz
Project Overview
SnS is an inclusive daycare facility with interactive learning experience for children ages 0-5 years old especially those with vision and hearing impairments. As hearing and vision impaired experience the built environment differently, SnS provides many interactive features and utilizes all 3 planes of the space; engaging the senses of touch, sight, and sound, while creating a space that is welcoming and enjoyable for children. The design of the space uses many tactile forms while introducing colour and acoustic treatments, done in moderation allowing space can be enjoyable for all users.
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Tactile Forms.
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Interactive Wall Features and Signage.
Concept/Design Process
The concept behind SnS Daycare Facility is "daydream". As children are always using their imagination and drifting off to a fantasy world of their own, it was important to give them a space that allowed for their imaginations to roam and where their fantasies could be brought to life. Combining fantasies and teaching will enhance and improve the learning and development of the children attending SNS daycare facility. As daydreams have many possibilities, the interior of the daycare will provide a multitude of different experiences within the space. Colours are introduced into the space in a muted hue to avoid over stimulation of the eyes, the use of textures and tactile features allows for an interactive experience.
Floor Plans
For the layout of the daycare facility, it was important to understand how the vision and hearing impaired individuals navigate the space. The first level is location to the infant and toddler rooms and a double volume indoor play area. The second level, is location to the preschool and kindergarten classrooms as well as an eat-in kitchen and town hall space. The path of travel through the daycare is linear with the rooms lining the perimeter. When navigating a space its is easier for vision impaired to make left turns and to have limited obstacles to avoid. The wider corridors allow for children who use sign language to communicate without having to break visual contact as they navigate through the space. The roof was converted to a rooftop outdoor play area, to allow for required outdoor space.
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First Level Floor Plan.
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Second Level Floor Plan.
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Rooftop Floor Plan- Outdoor Play Area.
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Longitudinal Section.
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Latitudinal Section.
Sections
Controlling the levels of sound throughout the space is crucial when children with vision and hearing impairments use the space, creating a balance of hard and soft surface so that sound can reverberate for orientation use and have background noises absorbed so important sounds can her heard. This was achieved by using suspended ceiling panels in forms that would aesthetically pleasing to children and installing acoustic wall panels to eliminate the possibility of noise pollution. The material selection for the space needed to be safe for children, the paint is eco paint which is natural and has zero VOCs, laminate is used on high touch surfaces for easy clean ability, and grade A fabric upholstery, resistant to constant cleaning. The flooring is a marmoleum sheet flooring which provides a slip resistant, seamless material while being able to introduce different colours to support the wayfinding tools for the space.
3D Views
The indoor play area is the main feature of the daycare facility and is a place that allows the children to come together and interact with each other. Feeling welcome and belonging is very important to children when attending a daycare. The indoor play area has different spaces for children to play and engage with the built environment. There is a central two level structure that can be climbed as well as a lower portion with a ramp for children with physical limitations to play in. The walls of the play area and classrooms have Montessori elements, such as mazes, peg boards, and seating nooks. There is a large raise interactive rainbow that plays a different music key when each colour is touched. There are Montessori posts with varied colours and raised shapes, letters, numbers and Braille for children to learn and be introduced to the various forms of communication.
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Indoor Play Area.
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Interactive Elements and Way-finding.
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Toddler Classroom.
Poster
SNS Sensory Impaired Daycare Facility.
