SENIOR PROJECT
PROMPT
Research, design, and present a solution to a societal issue.
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CONCERN
Arts, languages, and athletics are often the first programs dismissed when school systems face budget cuts; thus taking away outlets for self-expression. Sadly, children grow to doubt themselves even though they were never taught those skills.
With increasing pressure on children to have a wide range of multiple interests, quality time spent with the family is exponentially less.
2020 VIRTUAL PRESENTATION
“I am enough of the artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” - Albert Einstein
MAIN ENTRANCE
WEST ELEVATION
VINYL WAYFINDING
WONDER
PROJECT SUMMARY
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The WONDER After school Activities Center is tailored towards children of working parents who want to explore beyond their school education. Having several different activities in one place encourages children to try hobbies, projects, classes, and games they would not have been otherwise exposed to while completing their homework in the meantime, allowing for more family time and less running the roads.
CONCEPT STATEMENT
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Create an after-school wonderland that allows children to explore their interests outside of school and tests. Combining athletics, arts, education, and cultural facilities create a mini-city that feels as though it was pulled out of their own imagination. the center allows children to engage in their extracurricular activities and homework before their parents leave work, allowing for more family time at home and less running the roads.
Location Benefits:
- outside of the downtown loop
- surrounded by schools and
universities
- no existing structures or
obstacles
- nature views
- near preexisting outdoor
activities
SITE: 1800 W 18th St. Indianapolis, IN 46202
VOLUMETRIC DIAGRAMS
"The real purpose of art education is to create complete human beings capable of leading successful and productive lives in a free society." - Dana Gioia
First Floor
Pre-School and Elementary Aged Students
- Designed to resemble a city's ground level. As a programmatic concept it awakens children's imaginations. Also used as a multilevel organizational concept
introducing city organizational understanding and navigational skills.
- Wayfinding via vinyl flooring with orientational lighting above
- Open floor areas coordinate with adjacent classrooms
for both structured and unstructured exploration
- Centralized front desk for unobstructed
view of non-classroom areas
"There is no better way to show your support for a student-centered classroom, than creating a classroom from a child’s point of view." - unknown teacher
"Element-Tree" Library
Inspiration: organic treehouse
"ELEMEN-TREE" LIBRARY
A) Acoustic ceiling feature to resemble tree canopy and branches
B) Treehouse for students wanting to lay/spread out on the floor while doing their homework
C) Window wall cubbies with acoustic wall coverings appear in most first floor open spaces for students wanting a more quiet intimate space to be with their thoughts and/or homework/activities
D) Wiggling stackable seats for students who want a desk-like setting but like to fidget
E) Campfire style seating for group tutoring or students working on a group project (see plan)
F) Enameled metal bench for relaxed reading and marks the edge of the library area
"Art Porch"
Inspiration: Why are houses straight and square?
"Children are naturally creative. It is our job to give them the freedom, materials, and space, to let their creativity blossom into its full potential" - Jean Van't Hul
A) Blue is the color associated with art throughout the 'city'. Blue way finding on the 'roads' lead to the "art house", a two story 'home' with a blue speckled wallpaper exterior in which students have their art lessons.
B) Warped wall shapes spark questions and creativity among students
C) Window wall cubbies with acoustic wall coverings
D) Cubbies underneath the 'porch' for art supplies, games, and more
WARPED WALL
ART PORCH
"Sculpture Park" Atrium
Inspiration: Lively Geometry
"Geometry is the archetype of the beauty of the world" - Johannes Kepler
A) Mural by local artist. Windows covered by colorful film for students in classrooms to see out but park students cant see in
B) Geometrically shaped platforms bring building blocks and Lego concepts to real life
C) Stage for story time, children's plays, and more
D) All platforms are ramp accessible
E) Cubbies for individual play time or hide and seek
F) Spirals enclosed groupwork tables on the second floor (middle school aged)
SCULPTURE PARK ATRIUM
"Music lessons help children as young as four show advanced brain development and improve their memory." -The Canadian Press
Second Floor
Middle-school Aged Students
- Open areas are all multifunctional as both educational and social discussion
areas with individual seating and privacy pods spread throughout
- Wayfinding via vinyl flooring continues onto the second floor
- Classrooms organization correspond to the floor below
- Atrium railed and glassed to provide some
physical separation between floors
while still allowing to feel like
one continuous space
Librar-Tree
Inspiration: tree climbing
"Nature is a tool to get children to experience not just the wider world but themselves." - Stephen Moss
ACRYLIC WALL SEAT
Safety Features:
- 1 inch teeth on
branches 4 feet
and above
- handles on
sitting branches
MIDDLE SCHOOL "LIBRAR-TREE"
A) Acoustic ceiling feature to resemble tree canopy
B) Branch-like wall seats to inspire different perspectives and encouragement to explore nature
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C) White board for peer education, group projects, and tutoring sessions
D) Wiggling stackable seats for students who like to fidget
