2017
THE C.L.I.X.X. SCHOOL
Child Learning Institute of Xai-Xai
For preschool-aged children, social development is the most crucial skill to develop in order to succeed in their future. Especially for disabled children or those from disadvantaged backgrounds, learning to collaborate and interact with others. Developed as a project layered with different levels of social interaction, the C.L.I.X.X. School attempts to redefine how architecture can mediate learning and adapt to children’s disabilities through the science of proxemics.
CONTEXT
Mozambique Preschool Architecture Competition
LOCATION
Xai-Xai, Mozambique
SOFTWARE
Rhinoceros3D, Photoshop, Illustrator
Lena Ma
COLLABORATORS
The preschool’s organizations follows the basis of layering the four different levels of interpersonal distance - intimate, private, social and public. As young children grow, their spatial and social spheres expand and they begin to feel more and more comfortable exploring large and populated spaces. The programmatic placement creates a gradient of intimacy for the children, starting from their personal spaces such as their beds, next the more private and enclosed spaces of their classrooms. Each classroom acts as an individual hub and revolve centrally to provide familiarity and the idea of a small neighbourhood to bring identity and a sense of belonging for staff and students. These then feed into smaller covered courtyard spaces that provide more personal play spaces that then feed into large open courtyards that act as a garden and play areas for the entire community. Off of the roadside, communal programs are readily available to host special events and act as a barrier between the class pods and the general public.
