Harnessing young minds through their environment, Malvern College Pre-School opts for a fully open and integrated learning space
Harnessing young minds through every element of education, Malvern College Pre-School trades in walls for a fully open and integrated learning space
墨爾文國際幼稚園打破傳統界限，營造自由環境為主題的啟蒙教育
For most of us, formal education begins the day we set foot in a classroom. For youngsters at Malvern College Pre-School, this much remains true – save for the part where the classroom is defined by four walls. A spacious, linear volume on the ground level of Coronation Circle, Malvern’s 8,000sqft floor size is carefully distributed, with non-teaching areas – the staff office, storage and restrooms – adjacent to the mall, and the remaining space dedicated to the open-plan “classroom.“
The learning areas weave fluidly around three large pillars, as though a stream ambling across the room. These spaces transform according to use – the Play Hut, for instance, can at any given time be a kitchen or restaurant, a flower or pet shop, a hospital or an animal clinic. In one corner, a sand pit rests above elevated steps, which double as seating.
Abundant sunlight, through greenery by the glass front, filters into the highceilinged space. Wooden furnishings and veneers are dominant throughout, as are hues of bamboo, sand and grass. Two flexible partitions provide options while retaining the space’s integrity as an open-floor layout.
It’s a design that aligns with the Reggio Emilia philosophy of education, which emphasises learning through direct interaction with the environment. It encourages
從踏入課室的一刻起，便是學生接受正規教育的開始。相信這個說法對墨爾文國際幼稚園的學生來說也不例外。唯一不同的是，課室不再局限於四面牆，跨越傳統成就與別不同的學習過程。開揚寬闊的幼稚園位於中港薈商場地面樓層，面積佔地8,000平方呎。教員室、儲物間和洗手間等非教學區域設置於商場鄰近，從而打造出一個專屬的開放式學習空間。
學習區域沿室內的三大支柱而建，締造流暢俐落的畫面。以Play Hut為例，範圍可以隨時用作廚房或餐廳、花店或寵物店，又或是動物診所或醫院的場景。設置在平台階級的沙池，則為孩子提供多感官體驗。
課室設計善用樓底高的優點，把蒼翠繁茂的美景和充沛陽光引進室內。竹林、泥沙和青草的自然用色是木製傢具和仿木飾板的靈感來源。兩個彈性設計的活動隔間靈活易用，貫徹開放式學習空間的精髓。
校園設施以瑞吉歐教學法為依歸，強調小孩與大自然環境之間的互動。主要鼓勵遊戲為本的教學方法，結合陽光、植物和水等自然元素讓學生逐步學習和探索。
free play and highlights the role of the natural world – such as sunlight, plants and water – in imparting skills and knowledge to children.
The renovation was led by Thomas Chow Architects, which has also worked on Diocesan Boys’ School and Island School. “When designing schools, it’s always about the 'hardware' and the 'software',” explains lead architect Billy Tam. “The teaching approach and philosophy is important.”
For Tam and his team, working on Malvern was unique in that the environment would play an active, direct part in the children’s education. A successful project, he says, is one where the software and the hardware go hand-inhand. “Everything about this project is well put-together – the site, the environment, the teaching,” says Tam. “We see too many cases of putting on stickers of trees, but anyone can do that – everyone can make a shelf look like a tree. But until it’s part of your teaching, and the way you teach, it’s superficial. It’s just decoration.”
Acoustics was a major consideration for the large room. To address this, the team ensured ceilings and floors used soundabsorptive materials to minimise reverberation. Of course, teachers play a part in working with the environment, too – as do the students. “If the kids get too noisy, they'll try to control their voices,” says Tam. “This is part of their education as well.”
We sometimes forget that children are quick learners. At Malvern, this fact is considered with every table, surface and activity. “Children have good memory of spaces, so the quality of natural light and texture is important,” says Tam. “Twenty years later, when they become adults, they’ll start to appreciate it. They will see the difference.” // Thomas Chow Architects負責裝飾翻新，曾處理拔萃男書院和港島中學的項目。主任建築師Billy Tam表示：「內外配合的教學方式是設計學校的一大關鍵。」佈局會直接影響學童的學習過程和觀念，而內外兼備的建築就是成功的寫照。
瑞吉歐教學法為設計奠下了明顯的路向。他認為：「選址、環境和教學內容均經過精心策劃，結合不同的元素打造豐富多元的環境。」他續道：「任何人都可以為空間注入天然元素。普通的樹木貼紙也能製作出相似效果。假如欠缺相應的教學方法，再貼切的裝飾也華而不實。」
開放式主導的校園會衍生隔音問題，而含吸音成分的天花板和地板就是減低噪音的干擾的妙法。他說：「相信學生會控制聲線，明白不打擾他人的重要性，這也是教育的一部分。」
我們總是忘卻孩子的學習能力很強。在此，不同的活動將根據孩子的個人需要度身訂造而設。他指：「小孩對空間的記憶印象深刻，因此明亮光線和豐富質感非常重要。二十年後，當他們長大成人，就會明白和欣賞當中的細節，樂在其中。」//