Kindergarten Architecture

Kindergarten Architecture provides comprehensive guidance for designers, educationalists and client bodies involved in the most important practical and theoretical aspects of pre-school nursery design. It illustrates the major issues through key historical and contemporary kindergartens and demonstrates the practical ways in which these ideas can be incorporated into new buildings. The author also addresses important philosophical questions: should a kindergarten be designed as a 'home from home' or can more radical architectural forms be adopted? What spaces should the modern nursery school have? What symbolic significance do they have to young children? What special details should be considered to enhance the learning environment? A wide-ranging series of state-of-the-art kindergarten buildings selected from countries throughout the world illustrates examples of the imaginative potential inherent in kindergarten architecture. As the social significance of pre-school education continues to gain recognition, this book will make a positive contribution to the debate and offers a unique reference source for all those involved in the design and procurement of pre-school facilities.