Gan Shalom Preschool

In response to the client’s desire for distinctiveness, our design team embarked on a journey inspired by origami, as a nod to an art form that depends on motor-skills development, creativity, and adaptability. The preschool embraces tactile learning, fostering an environment where hands-on activities and multi-sensory experiences are not just encouraged but integral to the learning process.

As preschoolers arrive to the common space, origami inspired entrances to five themed innovation classrooms greeted them with bold and colorful supergraphics. Each entrance provides spatial wayfinding information while seamlessly connecting the children to the space. There are five classrooms that are designed to be fun and flexible: An art classroom featuring a vibrant paint park, a baking classroom with real kitchen, a discovery room with custom educational tools that include wall activities and water/sand tables, a reading classroom featuring a variety of reading ‘nooks’, and a STEM classroom featuring a life-size light bright.

The design team pursued the client’s vision of a modern space distinct from the rest of the facility by incorporating white areas punctuated with bold, unexpected color accents. Steering clear of traditional child-themed elements, the challenge lay in incorporating bold colors that felt refreshing, fun and complementary to the space without resorting to the primary colour clichés. These carefully selected colors infuse unexpected vibrancy into the project and addressed challenges such as the absence of outdoor space and material constraints with innovative solutions. 

Gan Shalom Preschool is a success story of a holistic design solution where our Experiential Graphic Design and Interior Design teams converge. Millwork and furniture are coordinated to ensure consistent flow of colors and themes, ensuring a cohesive and immersive experience. The success of this project is measured not only in the visual vibrancy of the space but in the engaged, enthusiastic response of the children. The project also integrates technology, with projection walls and digital screens for educational programs, which reflects the commitment to a modern, tech-integrated, beyond tactile learning environment.

The success is further underscored by the incorporation of a simple color system that is age appropriate as a spatial wayfinding tool. The client’s commitment to the design intent played a pivotal role in achieving the project’s objectives. From the execution of tactile materials and bright colors to the abstracted interpretation of origami shapes, the project exceeded expectations outlined in the design brief.

Design Team

Turner Fleischer

Photo Credits

Riley Snelling Photography

Open Date

December 2023