Early Learning Village

From the exterior, the village looks like a hybrid of existing mid-rise types – stepped bars, terraced patios, translucent awnings and tropical greenery.

Lower floors are organised into a network of corridors and large rooms for flexible programming. As one moves upward and into the towers, the building becomes more porous, incorporating large windows that provide deep views among the learning spaces.

Neighbouring classrooms share a common exterior space, which is open to air and allows for sand and water play for younger students. In a bid to minimise the loss of conditioned air from the interior, both adult- and child-size doors have been installed.

Methods of modular construction were investigated but, as they were untested in Singapore, we reverted to a traditional concrete frame with cantilevered balconies. GRC rainscreens form the façades, with alternating window heights (for small children) while the external balconies have full-height glass balustrades. The weather-protecting canopies are steel-framed trees with ETFE infill panels.

The innovative use of elevated external play space becomes an inherent feature of the architecture with the stacked ‘clusters’ and projecting canopies creating a playful environment that breaks the overall scale.

To ensure indoor air quality, the MEP team delivered a displacement air solution: tempered air delivered to the spaces at low level via furniture, wall and floor integrated systems. This ensures that fresh, filtered air only passes through the occupied zone once before being taken to the main plant for energy recovery.