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Wonderland Léierzentrum by Barbara Young

Wonderland Léierzentrum by Barbara Young is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 A' Design Award an Bronze in Inneraum an Ausstellungsdesign Competition Category.


BronzeInterieur· 2022

Wonderland Léierzentrum

by Barbara Young

A' Design Award an Bronze Winner in Interieur Category

10,037

Verified Award Winner

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The Design

About Wonderland Léierzentrum

Wonderland ass en experimentellt Léierzentrum, dat fir Schoulkanner entwéckelt gouf. Den Haaptraum, den Wonder Cafe genannt, huet e speziell entworfenen Léierbaum mat enger gratis Bicherbibliothéik zum Deelen an enger Computerbar, wou d'Schüler Geräter ausléine kënnen. Zwee Beräicher si beiderandeg vun enger diagonaler Achs geplangt, déi verschidde Stëmmungen vu Komfort an Inklusioun fir eng Villfalt vu Léierenden bidden, fir ze schaffen, sech ze sozialiséieren, ze kreéieren oder ze léieren. Transparent Panneelen a lasergeschnidde Schierme halen d'Siichtwenkelen fräi fir d'Iwwerwaachung, wärend verschidden Aarte vu Sëtzméiglechkeeten a Privatsphärenastellungen ënnerschiddlech Bedürfnisser a Stëmmungen entspriechen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Bronze

Wonderland Léierzentrum ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Bronze, enger héich prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un erausragend Designe vergi gëtt, déi sech duerch Kreativitéit, Erfindungsgab a Schlauheet ausgezeechnen. Bronze-Gewënner si voll Fäegkeet a opfälleg kreativ Wierker, déi déi grouss Erfahrung, d'Fantasie an d'Ressourceréichtum vun hire Designer bestätegen. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Wonderland Léierzentrum e héich geschätzt, bewonnert a beléifte Géigestand ass, bemierkenswäert professionell an innovativ. Dëst mam Bronze ausgezeechent Design integréiert déi beschte Praktike vun der Konscht, der Wëssenschaft, vum Design an der Technologie an zeechent sech duerch Opmierksamkeet fir Detailer aus. Wonderland Léierzentrum erfëllt Bedierfnesser exzellent, beréiert Wënsch, bezauberet Gefiller an erweckt Neigierecht.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
Wonderland Experiential Learning Center provides hands-on, extra-curricular, educational opportunities for school age children. The concept design for this Wonder Café space features a learning tree for a free book-share program and a computer bar where students can borrow devices if they do not have their own. Planned on either side of a diagonal axis through the space, two different atmospheres of comfort and inclusion exist for a diversity of learners to work, socialize, create, or learn.
Dimensions & Packaging
The conceptual design was based on the typical size and structure of a junior high school gymnasium (roughly 25.5m x 30m x 5m to bottom of structural deck) because the client was in negotiations with a school board to repurpose an old middle school building for Wonderland. The visualization provided ideas to help the board see how the existing gymnasium could be repurposed for the Wonderland Kids Café and adjacent rooms could be used for specialty technology instruction.
Tags
Interior Design, Education Design, Community Design, Makerspace
Production Technology
The conceptual rendering for the Wonderland Experiential Learning Center is modeled in SketchUp and Rendered with Enscape. Plan diagrams were exported from Sketchup and completed with Illustrator. Videos and interactive 360 panorama walkthroughs were also created for the client for viewing on screen and in immersive VR headsets. The proposed custom learning tree is designed for ease of fabrication with a CNC router and laser cut "W" shaped wood screen inserts.
Design Challenge
The visualization needed to be accomplished in a very short amount of time (2-weeks). As a proposal, the design used parameters for the desired building but needed to be flexible enough to be adapted into any space.
Research
The designer has engaged in an extensive literature review of pedagogy, learning styles, early childhood education, and learning spaces which was incorporated into the main idea for flexibility, diverse settings, and defined areas in the space.
Inspiration
Wonderland provides opportunities for children to grow intellectually, creatively, emotionally, socially and physically through technology education. Growth elements are integrated throughout the design, including the learning tree, private tree house booths, collaborative savanna and climbing hills. Material and accent lighting selections also represent natural growth elements. A variety of areas are included to welcome all learners with diverse backgrounds and personalities.
Project Duration
Concept design began in July of 2021 and was presented to the community school board 2 weeks later for support in acquiring space. Wonderland is currently operating in a temporary building and hopes to acquire or build a permanent home in the near future.
Operation Flow
The main space, or kids café, includes book shelving along the outside of the custom learning tree. This free library, conceived of as a book share program, will allow children to explore interests. Provided books will include materials that children can use in the adjacent maker labs (science/technology/craft/maker topics). The central learning tree incorporates transparent panels with natural elements and laser cut screens to provide interest and ensure that views can be maintained throughout the space at all times for safety and supervision. A variety of seating, including pillow/bean bag chairs, make children comfortable to explore at their own pace and promote movement and social learning. A variety of seating types and privacy settings cater to different needs and moods of children visiting the space. The environment will be technology rich with computers and wifi available throughout the space. The adjacent technology learning labs will be designed with storefronts that reflect activities taking place inside, to connect to their application in industry.
Team Members
Tong J Kim
Laura Bittner

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