The Site
We worked with the Kindergarten at Colegi Mare de Déu dels Angels in La Sagrera neighborhood Barcelona. This historic school has educated generations of students over nearly the past one hundred years, this year the school decided to bring in IAAC to develop playground structures to improve the exposed brick terraces where the children have recess.
Through several collaborative design sessions, we mapped the movement of boys and girls across the terrace. We categorized the ways in which the kindergartners move as well as asking the children to map the topography and sports they would like to do on the terrace and the existing materials and properties of the site.
A Progressing Forest
Across the entire school from kindergarten through secondary school we took inspiration from a growing forest, at the kindergarten we were inspired by the early stage forest floor where many species flourish and there are many opportunities for diverse growth.
DESIGN
Based on our research we understood the movement of the children playing on the terrace to be primarily running, which we observed to occur in a circular swirling pattern.
Diagram of proposed courtyard solution
Design Iterations
Informed by our research and analysis and inspired by the burgeoning growth of the forest floor, we want to Reconnect the children with natural forms through a whimsical parametric icon. To provide a greater diversity of movements and collective spaces.
Final Design
We settled on a modular topography design that can create multiple different spaces and experiences based on its configuration. The design playfully abstracts the topography of the forest floor into a parametric architectural artifact that makes space for many kinds of activities.
Construction
Installation
The installation took place on a single afternoon in December. The prefabricated elements were moved by truck from Valldaura Labs to the School where the final assembly occurred.
As installed, the project will serve over sixty kindergartners every school day and can be reconfigured by staff to match the needs of the children
