earthschool
learning hub
Concept & Schematic Design
The Learning Hub is more than a nature-inspired shelter in the park: it is a social aggregator, fostering social interactions, recreation, and cultural enrichment to foster a sense of belonging and community.
To introduce a dynamic range of space across the piaiplaza, the design is centred on augmenting the existing rhythm of the columns and floor tiles to create multiple microcosms. This soft boundaries between areas create an ecosystem of fluid spaces, ranging from open and public sharing areas to shielded, enclosed areas for focused classroom learning and briefing.
Fluidity across spaces is ensured by keeping visual sightlines along the main axis of the plaza open, therefore promoting interaction and camaraderie between groups, spurring social engagement and impromptu meetings. These adaptive zones can be easily reconfigured and repurposed to meet the ever-changing needs of the space.
Changing in porosity, the façade creates dynamic microcosms of space: from a hearth-like space for focused workshops and environmental education, to the more open-ended public front that allows for flexible configuration and maximising spectatorship and visual dialogues. The Learning Hub is therefore available to cater to a wide range of activities, for intimate and humanized spaces for small group interaction and sharing, to communal spaces for communal gathering and events. This line of connected spaces encourages social exchange and cohesion through the shared appreciation for the environment, creating an inclusive and memorable shared community Learning Hub for all.
Through careful consideration of the existing multiple paths of approach towards PiaiPlaza, the Learning hub is able to enhance its community engagement by forging unique connections between residents, park-goers, students and various community activities. Through this seamless integration with its surroundings and design development of wayfinding and welcoming elements to guide visitors from all directions, the Learning Hub is elevated into a public plaza.
