Built
Status
Date
2016
Location
Sanayeh, Beirut
Team
Fouad Samara
Lara Alam
Lara Alam
A catalyst for imagination, education, and well-being
Embodying the corporate identity of Innocent Minds, a system of colored louvers evokes the crayon coloring sets of every child, boldly announcing the arrival of this multi-storey kindergarten to the area of Sanayeh. The building was originally a 1950’s maternity hospital, remodeled into a contemporary kindergarten.
Photography by Joe Lahdou.
Solar Protection
The louvers were introduced not only for a memorable identity, they also provide protection against the harsh sun, reflect multi-colored lighting into the interior spaces, and offer a degree of privacy for the children while maintaining a clear view out to the Sanayeh Gardens, one of the few green public spaces in the city.
Extensions and circulation
Four white pods that can be plugged in and out serve as extensions to the kindergarten, differentiating the ground floor from the colorful building above, with an entrance to the building through one of them. Once inside, a soft ramp cuts through the center of the building to reach all its individually themed classrooms, allowing easy access for all the young children and staff.
Photography by Joe Lahdou