Public Space Charette

The goal of the design for my public space charette in the children's reading room is to create an environment that is fun and encourages the users of the space to explore, learn and have fun while doing it.  It is always more fun to do school work outside, so what better way to achieve this type of environment than by bringing the outdoors in a fun and practical way through the use of materials, architectural features and color palette?

The exsisting support columns in the space will be sheethed in a wood-like material to mimic the trunks of a tree and extend into the ceilings and wall creating visual interest and layering within the space as well as serving the function of covering the support columns.  They also serve the purpose to separation between activity areas.

Some children prefer to read in groups, some prefer to read alone so to better serve this need, I have designed a shelving wall with "cubbies" for those that prefer to read in tight quarters.  Smaller cubbies will also be utilized to provide display areas for books of the month and such to spark interest in certain reading areas.  The book shelving will continue the offset layering in the walls.  They will be white will pops of primary and secondary colors used in the cubbie spaces to provide contrast and interest.

Unique furnishings will be utilized that have dual funcionality, as storage space as well as seating and table areas.  Some pieces that might work for this space can include these: