Integrated Social Learning: Central Business District office building and early child-care centre

Abstract

The convenience of early childhood centres (ECE) near to guardians’ working place creates a need to look into the integration of ECE into Central Business District (CBD) where most office buildings are located.

This requires investigation on how the integration of ECE into office buildings can change office buildings designs to meet children’s learning requirements. The design in this research aims to explore potentials in which this integration could happen.

The aim of this thesis is to develop ways that mixed-age early child-care centres can be integrated with CBD office buildings. This integration is explored by analysing strategies of office building designs that can be applied to support children’s learning and interaction in the office environment. Atrium could give children wider social learning experiences. Circulation paths could be a social and visual learning spaces for mobile children when they transition from a play space to another. Outdoor spaces are required for children’s learning but could also be adults’ outdoor workspaces. The facade design should enhance the outdoor space and also add a creative touch on it.

Overall, this thesis aims to support the integration of early child-care centres in office buildings within in the CBD.