There are a lot of things to consider when youโre designing a school. After all, itโs where young minds are shaped each day, so itโs not just a matter of making efficient use of the space you have on hand as in the case of Malvern College Pre-School.
Thomas Chow Architects (TCA) designed the Malvern College Pre-School campus and oversaw the renovation of an older building in Yau Ma Tei. As well as creating an open, bright environment, the architects had to keep in mind the educational practices of the school, the many and varied needs of the staff and students, as well as keeping safety a priority.
Billy Tam, lead architect from TCA says, โThere is no definition of a โclassroomโ here; at one time this space can be a playground, while at other times it may be a reading corner.โ The campus has been planned in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) programme, where children learn through structured free-play.
โWe provide freedom for the children to interpret spaces in their own ways,โ adds Billy. โItโs true that we haveย amazing and innovative designs as our aim but, at the same time, we must bear in mind that childrenโs safety is of utmost importance. Therefore, our design is a balance between safety and aesthetic expression.โ
With the ethos and principles of Malvern College behind it, the preschool campus has been designed to reflect the Reggio Emilia education philosophy, which views โenvironment as the third teacherโ.
Jacqueline McNalty, Founding Principal of Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong, explains, โMaximum exposure of different senses and stimulations are crucial for the development of a young child. We have incorporated many elements of nature into the campus, bringing the outdoors inside.โ
One example is the Sand Pit, which allows students to explore and understand the world through sensory stimulation and enables experimental wet and dry play; itโs designed to develop childrenโs social, physical and creative/aesthetics skills as well as early experiences in mathematics and science. Thereโs also a Wood Hut, Play Hut and Reading Loft.
โAn exciting environment encourages children to be more expressive, imaginative and creative, which augments several areas of the EYFS,โ says Jacqueline.
With the renovation now complete, the campus was ready for the first students to arrive this month.
Malvern College Pre-School
Units 9-12, Coronation Circle, 1 Yau Cheung Road, Southwest Kowloon | malvernpreschool.hk
This article first appeared in the Aug/Sep 2017 edition of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
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