Lemon Pebble Architects and Urban Designers created the Early Childhood Development Center, a child-friendly center in Vosloorus, South Africa
In Vosloorus, South Africa, Tanzeem Razak from Lemon Pebble Architects and Urban Designers designed the Early Childhood Development Center, an innovative childhood education and care center for children aged three months to six years.
The building showcases a dynamic interplay of volumes and vibrant colors offering numerous indoor and outdoor child-friendly spaces. Therefore, the Early Childhood Development Center is a stimulating, safe and sustainable facility designed to accommodate about 120 children.
Lemon Pebble Architects and Urban Designers’s project
A tower-like construction and a colorful, playful façade characterize the building’s entrance, giving the facility a distinctive character and a strong sense of belonging to the local community.
The Early Childhood Development Center is developed around a main central axis leading to the classrooms and outdoor and indoor play areas, while secondary axes lead to services and administrative offices.
The building’s large and small volumes differentiate common areas from learning spaces. Moreover, the classrooms are characterized by colors to make it easier for children to identify their own classroom. Lastly, low windows and seating allow pupils to actively participate in lessons.
Colorful interior and exterior surfaces decorated with artwork by local artists give the facility a strong identity and a natural sense of belonging to the local community. Interior spaces are flexible and user-friendly; for example, the children’s lunchroom can become a dining room for larger community events.
The creation of the Early Childhood Development Center involved various learning experts. Moreover, 30 percent of the local workforce took part in its construction. In fact, local artists and tilers were trained through a series of workshops, supported by the community and approved by the social development department.
[Text: Arianna Callocchia / Photo: Tristan Mclaren]
