Kindergarten – Ramat Hasharon

The kindergarten is a unique project created for children and toddlers ages 1.5 - 4 years old. The children’s young age and their changing needs dictated its unique design. The design philosophy for the space was that the environment children grow up in strongly reflects how their sensibilities develop and that childhood should be celebrated. The space was developed to encourage children to be creative and sensitive, free and contained. It is a utopian school promoting education for imagination, sensitivity to one’s surroundings and to be original individuals.
The 1950′s style of the original building served as the starting point for the interior design. The single-story structure is divided into public spaces: lobby/entrance hall, creative zone, exercise studio and library, and has four classrooms, each features a different theme: ocean, nature, transportation and majestic kingdom. Every room has an exit to the outdoor yard. The full school property is comprised of 1000 sq m (0.25 acres), and the school building has a footprint of some 400 sq m (4300 sq ft.)
Sustainability, practicality and budget were the main factors influencing the design. The entire school is carpeted in a light blue surface, drawing on the 1950′s educational institutions. Within the interior, there are custom cabinets, book shelves and large wooden interactive toys which all cater aesthetically and functionally to the children. The furniture has been constructed from plywood, formica and whole wood. The color scale is comprised of three core colors: blue, white and red, with natural wood hues. The palette is meant to evoke happiness and boldness, while keeping the environment calm, minimalist, focused and free of form-overload for ongoing, joyful play.

Credit:
Interior and furniture design: Sarit Shani Hay
Architecture: Lev-Gargir Architects
Photography: Amit Geron
Ramat Hasharon 2009