“How can spatial practice facilitate the quality upbringing of orphans in southeast asia by reviving village-like systems within an urban context?”
‘CHILDHOOD RESERVE’ is a project which approaches the ongoing issue of the orphan crisis through an interdisciplinary lens. It combines design and the built form, with the social, cultural and geographical context of Myanmar as a model site to address the wider context of Southeast Asia. Interior architecture has been utilized as a method of provoking awareness of this issue through quite literally, bringing orphans to the forefront of society and exploring the possibility for positive change in the childhood and lives of orphaned children.
‘CHILDHOOD RESERVE’ is a project which approaches the ongoing issue of the orphan crisis through an interdisciplinary lens. It combines design and the built form, with the social, cultural and geographical context of Myanmar as a model site to address the wider context of Southeast Asia. Interior architecture has been utilized as a method of provoking awareness of this issue through quite literally, bringing orphans to the forefront of society and exploring the possibility for positive change in the childhood and lives of orphaned children.
CHILDHOOD RESERVE
- Early Learning Facility -
Situated within the heart of Yangon, the proposed adaptive reuse of the heritage Old Tourist Burma Building aims to be a hopeful intervention to reconnect children to a normal childhood. The ground floor envisions a point of interaction between orphans and the local children through the program of an early childhood facility. This works for a step closer towards reducing stigma and prejudice surrounding orphans, and hopes for the reconnection to their wider society.
Situated within the heart of Yangon, the proposed adaptive reuse of the heritage Old Tourist Burma Building aims to be a hopeful intervention to reconnect children to a normal childhood. The ground floor envisions a point of interaction between orphans and the local children through the program of an early childhood facility. This works for a step closer towards reducing stigma and prejudice surrounding orphans, and hopes for the reconnection to their wider society.
CHILDHOOD RESERVE
- The Montessori System -
According to the Montessori system established by Dr Maria Montessori, this educational approach is geared towards encouraging independence within children to allow them to learn and progress at their own pace, under the guidance of trained adults. In providing children the freedom and choice within certain boundaries to learn in independent ways, children will be able to develop their confidence and self esteem. Furthermore, encouraging independence provides children a sense of importance as well as self-motivation, decreasing the chances of depression, anxiety, stress and low self-esteem in children, which are commonly evident in orphaned children.
According to the Montessori system established by Dr Maria Montessori, this educational approach is geared towards encouraging independence within children to allow them to learn and progress at their own pace, under the guidance of trained adults. In providing children the freedom and choice within certain boundaries to learn in independent ways, children will be able to develop their confidence and self esteem. Furthermore, encouraging independence provides children a sense of importance as well as self-motivation, decreasing the chances of depression, anxiety, stress and low self-esteem in children, which are commonly evident in orphaned children.
CHILDHOOD RESERVE
- Sleeping Quarters -
Taking inspiration from the forms of the rice paddy fields, this area symbolizes the idea of "A Village on the Rice Fields" achieved through the layered surfaces which build up to create hollow volume of spaces- used as the bedrooms. The entry points to these spaces are marked through coloured structures and within these spaces, the volume created through the tiering is reduced to fit the average size of a child. This allows for children to feel more in control, secure and intimate within the space.
Taking inspiration from the forms of the rice paddy fields, this area symbolizes the idea of "A Village on the Rice Fields" achieved through the layered surfaces which build up to create hollow volume of spaces- used as the bedrooms. The entry points to these spaces are marked through coloured structures and within these spaces, the volume created through the tiering is reduced to fit the average size of a child. This allows for children to feel more in control, secure and intimate within the space.
CHILDHOOD RESERVE
- The Design -
Within the design, the whole space utilizes earth tones, greens and blue. This aimed to imitate a very nature-inspired environment referencing back to the village lifestyles of rural communities. However, it also acts as a clean base for the pops of colour that would move throughout the day as light was also a very important factor in the design. The abundance of light within the space provided a sense of freedom, openness and play. Through the coloured windows, skylight and balustrades, the constantly transforming projections of colour symbolizes the changing memories of childhood.
Within the design, the whole space utilizes earth tones, greens and blue. This aimed to imitate a very nature-inspired environment referencing back to the village lifestyles of rural communities. However, it also acts as a clean base for the pops of colour that would move throughout the day as light was also a very important factor in the design. The abundance of light within the space provided a sense of freedom, openness and play. Through the coloured windows, skylight and balustrades, the constantly transforming projections of colour symbolizes the changing memories of childhood.
CHILDHOOD RESERVE
“Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.”
— Nelson Mandela
— Nelson Mandela
CHILDHOOD RESERVE
Evangelina Chain, CHILDHOOD RESERVE
Evangelina Chain, CHILDHOOD RESERVE
Evangelina Chain, CHILDHOOD RESERVE
Evangelina Chain, CHILDHOOD RESERVE
Evangelina Chain, CHILDHOOD RESERVE
Evangelina Chain, CHILDHOOD RESERVE
