Valerio Dewalt Train Associates has designed the new Laboratory Schools, Early Childhood Center for University of Chicago.

Founded by John Dewey in 1886, the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools have been a successful and evolving experiment in an educational model that prioritizes the learning environment as teacher. In 2007, the Schools embarked on one of their most ambitious and far-reaching expansions to date. Comprising two new major buildings—an early childhood center and an arts wing—and extensive top-to-bottom renovations throughout the existing nine-building campus, the expansion will fundamentally enhance the Schools' ability to realize a child-focused, educational vision.

Laboratory Schools Early Childhood Center, render courtesy Valerio Dewalt Train Associates

The first project scheduled to begin construction is the Early Childhood Center (ECC). This 128,000-sf facility will include 34 classrooms on two levels as well as a third-level library, gymnasium, and enclosed outdoor play area. Originally planned for a vacant site on the Lab Schools' existing campus, the ECC was moved to a superior off-campus site located across from Chicago's Jackson Park and the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI). Though removing the ECC from the current campus was not unanimously supported at first, the new site offers irresistible advantages that quickly won over the entire community.

Laboratory Schools Early Childhood Center, render courtesy Valerio Dewalt Train Associates

The first advantage is the location's proximity to the lakefront, the park, and the MSI, a major cultural institution. As the first physical link between the University of Chicago and the MSI, the ECC establishes an important dialogue between two of Hyde Park's most significant institutions.

The second advantage is more pragmatic. Traffic during drop-off and pick-up times has always been a major challenge at the Lab Schools, and expanding the ECC within the existing campus would have exacerbated the problem. Moving the ECC to a new site where traffic can be easily managed avoids this potentially hazardous situation. In addition, the original site, now a play area, will remain open for student recreation on the main campus.

Laboratory Schools Early Childhood Center, render courtesy Valerio Dewalt Train Associates

Because of its off-campus location, the new ECC will have all of the programmatic elements of a freestanding school building. In addition to classrooms, art and music rooms, a library, and a gymnasium, the building will house full administrative and counseling offices, food service, and learning labs. One end of the glazed third-floor library cantilevers over the entry plaza, offering views to Lake Michigan and the MSI.

The facility embodies the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education, a 20th-century teaching philosophy founded on Dewey's original principles that situate the child within a larger learning context. Among the building's innovations in this regard is the incorporation of outdoor space and learning labs with classrooms, enabling students to move fluidly between academic and physical activities. The ground floor contains nursery school and kindergarten classrooms, each with easy access to its own outdoor play space as well as to a shared courtyard and learning lab at the building's center. The second floor houses first and second grade classrooms and a green roof play area that blends live plantings and artificial turf. All classrooms throughout the building are designed to be flexible and to encourage interaction with adjacent classrooms and shared breakout rooms.

Scheduled for completion in 2013, the ECC is registered with the USGBC and is targeting a LEED Silver certification.

Laboratory Schools Early Childhood Center - Level 1 floor plan, drawing courtesy Valerio Dewalt Train Associates

Laboratory Schools Early Childhood Center - Level 2 floor plan, drawing courtesy Valerio Dewalt Train Associates

Laboratory Schools Early Childhood Center - Level 3 floor plan, drawing courtesy Valerio Dewalt Train Associates

+ Project credits / data

Architect: Valerio Dewalt Train Associates
Project: University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, Early Childhood Center
Location: Chicago, IL, USA

+ All images and drawings courtesy Valerio Dewalt Train Associates

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Connector for Technical University of Lodz | formodesign

University Campus Brno | A PLUS + A.M.O.S. DESIGN

Last month, we’ve introduced the Dare to Design competition held by Crystal Stone, which gave designers the chance to submit ideas for the stone presentations at the Home Design Show and Artist Project NY exhibits.

Well, how was that? Did you join it? It is the time now to visit the showcase at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show during this coming 17th-20th March.

They are giving away the complimentary passes to those who are interested in attending!

Here are the details of the show,

THE LINGE ROSET DESIGNER LOUNGE ON PIER 94
12TH AVE. AT 55TH ST
THURSDAY – SATURDAY: 10AM – 7PM
SUNDAY: 10AM – 6PM

THE ARTIST PROJECT NY ON PIER 92
55TH ST. AND THE WESTSIDE HIGHWAY
THURSDAY: 10AM – 9 PM (Open to Art and Design Professionals and Preview Ticketholders)
FRIDAY: 10AM – 7PM
SATURDAY-SUNDAY: 10AM – 6PM

+ If you’d like a pair of complimentary tickets, please email daretodesign@kultivate.co or call 718.797.0073 to get a pair of complimentary tickets today.

Australian lighting designer ilan.el has created this pendant light Kah-du Collection.  The kah-du collection features hand crafted lampshades based on a mathematical composition of a high-impact pattern. Its invasive effects are irresistible, and while intriguing, also visually striking.

These bespoke pieces appear to be 'breathing' and give the impression of movement and depth, reminiscent of the Op Art movement of the 1960s.

Kah-du offers a bold sculptural presence and is a perfect statement to any modern space.

+ Designer: Ilanel design studio | ilan.el | http://www.ilanel.com

Kah-du Collection, image courtesy Ilanel design studio

Kah-du Collection, image courtesy Ilanel design studio

+ About ilan.el

image courtesy Ilanel design studio

ilan.el is one of Melbourne’s newest innovative lighting designers. He graduated from the School of Architecture in Tel Aviv University and after running a multi-disciplinary design studio in Tel-Aviv, Ilan was lured to Melbourne and joined the Masters program at RMIT University.

Experiential illumination is his passion and he designs with philosophical awareness and the enjoyment of the spatial relationships light creates with environments. Many of his designs are interactive, contemporary and playful, making them whimsical and engaging of one’s inward eye. His unique understanding of people and spaces, as well as his ability to work in a huge variety of materials, makes him excel with bespoke briefs such as The Pose installation, he designed for the EveryBody Health Club and Radiant Rain over the bar at AKA to name a few.

ilan is the creative engine behind ilanel d.s. The studio specialises in the design and production of bespoke lighting. Ilanel d.s offers a collection of highly distinct designs to illuminate a wide variety of spaces from hotels, restaurants and clubs, to communal office spaces and homes.

The studio has clients both large and small and has extensive involvement with projects world wide.

+ All images courtesy Ilanel design studio