A rchitecture

for Lifelong
Learning
Agha Salar Khan,323
Architect’s intent

• Drawing Inspiration from basic 3D shapes like

spheres, Cubes and Pyramids keeping a
minimal approach towards design and
ensuring lack of any sharp edges and high &
unprotected planes whilst incorporating
nature.
Design Chinese Symbol Taijitu
(traditional) commonly knownas
inspiration Ying Yang, meaning harmony
and balance

Tic Tac Toe. A game very

popular amongst Montessori/
Kindergarden.

Closeness to nature is a
vital part of the design

Harmonious and minimalistic

design with alot of movementas
seen in the Audemars Pigeut HQ.
User Typology
Children in Montessori can be divided into two
age groups:
Play Group (3-4 years)
•Different types of shapes and visuals tend to intrigue
this age group e.g.patterns, etc.
•psychological development is practiced at this stage.
•hollow spaces and variation in scale tend to be
fascinating in this agegroup.
•supervision and precautions are necessaryat all
times

Montessori (Ages4-7)
•all five senses are encouraged to be engaged.
•Connection to natureas they are inquisitive and
ready toexplore
•Physical stimulation is key at this stage.
Analysis Via
Interview
• We were Lucky enough to get achanceto
Interview aChild linguistic and psychology
expert in Pakistan. Founder and owner of
the Writersden.

• Interview is attached as audio

Cognitive Learning
Cognitive learning analysis
6

Sensitivity
3

0
2 3 4 5
Age in Neurological emotional Physical Social
years
 Program
Indoor play
relation 3
Outdoor play 5
2 1
2 5
Bathroom
4 2 1
Kitchen 5 2 2
2 5 5
Nap Area 2 4
4 2
Changing area 2
2
Not
related
Least
related
Somewhat
related
Related
3
Strongly
related
Very
Strongly
Admin
0 1 2 4 related
5
 entrance
School Outdoor play

policies admin

hallway

Indoor
play
kitchen

Bathroom/Changing
Key area

• Adjacent

• Not directly-adjacent

Note: Size of circle is directly proportional to the Area

occupied by the given space
Children Anthopometry
Boy/ Girl Anthropometriccomparison 2-5yrs
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Height cm weight kg Body fat% Waist
Girls Boys
Anthropometric Study
Case 1
Boston Children’s Museum
Boston, MA
Drawing inspiration from a chest of drawers, the
design re-imagines the warehouse façade addition
as a series of such drawers and cleverly integrates
flexible event space and storage. New exhibits and
public areas were concentrated on the first three
floors with clear circulation and space to play and
maneuver, while administrative offices were moved
The renovation and expansion of the brick warehouse needed to
to the fourth floor. A dramatic new entry and
turn the building from a game of hide and seek, to an explorer’s
renovated plaza takes full advantage of the Harbor
playground for adventure.
walk location and puts play on full display.
 Analysi
s
activity height vs restriction
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5 User interaction analysis
2 5
4.5
1.5
4
1 3.5
3
0.5
2.5
0 2
0 ft 4ft 8 ft 12 ft 1.5
1
activity height 0.5
0
before renovation Post renovation
Harbour Space User interaction
Although the space of the harbor deck decreases, it has increased user
interaction through the introduction of the program
 Case 2
Case 2
Knock Knock Children’s
Museum
Baton Rouge, LA
Four connected pavilions are
staggered along the hilltop to
fit between and under the
canopies of seven beautiful
live oaks. The two-story
pavilions house themed
learning zones with hands-on 5

interactive exhibits such as a 4.5

Town Square, Reading Tree 4

and Storybook Climber. The 3.5

3
glass-fronted building affords
2.5
its young visitors with inspiring The six-acre hillside site overlooking the City-
2
views and at night transforms Brooks Community Park, had magnificent
1.5
into an illuminated beacon views of the city and plenty of mature trees
1 ,
symbolizing the community’s that we wanted to incorporate into the 0.5
commitment to early learning design. 0 .
institutions. Height of glass
• Visual freedom in comparison to the glass walls
walls / closeness to nature / connection to Visual freedom connection to nature
indoor outdoor .
0-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-2.5 2.5-3 3-3.5 3.5-4 4-4.5 4.5-5
Design Concepts
from Previous cases.
Outdoor area with Each leaf
sandbox represented a
different program

Recreational spaces

circulation andfree
movement X typology used and
arranged blocks to create a
Interactive programs secure centralized structure
.
Key: Indoor tooutdoor
experience

Case 1
Case2
Case3
Site Lahore

Ample open space to

incorporate natural elements
as well as structural ones
Approach
Buildable area
according to LDA by-
laws
Solar Study
Planning (Working)
Initial Plan

North
Initial Plan

Parking
Library Admin

Lobby/ Reception
- Kitchen for café
- Storage for teachers
- Staff room
- Bathroom
Courtyard Cafeteria

Classes

Principal office

Indoor Play

Outdoor Play Cognitive Learning

Kindergarten Outdoor Play
Play Group
WC
Section AA’
Section 2
3D view
Ergonomically lower stalls
and vanities designed for
children

Plenty of full sized windows for

maximum natural light and indoor-
outdoor connectivity