‘innovation center for children’ by four square arquitectos , valencia, spain

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architect ana garcia sala of foursquare arquitectos, with M2 distribución, worked in conjunction with ceramic tile specialists at natucer to create colorful skins for the innovation centre for children. on a recent trip to valencia, spain, designboom was given a guided tour of the experimental education complex, a program which called for an architectural form that encouraged creativity and social integration in children as well as a building that integrates the sustainable technology. apart from the inviting rounded shapes, color was an essential part of creating an environment that evokes exploration. each cylindrical module is clad in an array of colorful ceramic tiles. the glazed porcelain was extruded during carefully timed firing cycles, calculated to yield the correct degree of curvature required for each facade. the building’s facade was presented as an exemplary use of porcelain ceramic tiling during the 2013 CEVISIMA trade fair, which is dedicated to showcasing previously unseen technical innovations in the glazing, finishing processes and design capacities for ceramic tiles. the brilliantly glazed ceramic porcelain tiles on the innovation centre are attached to slotted tracks with aluminum staples and are part of a metal substructure that uses panels of aluminum cladding and mineral wool. exterior cladding, once thought forever relegated to rustic-looking grout and clay tiles, can be a fine, vibrant skin. additionally, the school uses both solar panels, special resin-treated floors and geothermal energy for climate control and regulation. the fun and light-hearted exteriors are only interrupted by quirky square windows that allow passive natural lighting in the rounded, spiraling interiors. the building far exceeds the role of container and becomes an object to behold in bustling environment, replete with growing minds. the pods become centers of activity that create spatial relationships and contribute to the cognitive development models being implemented in the the classrooms.

 

 

children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

multicolored pods work in conjunction with tangent-edged forms to realize an optimal environment for early childhood development

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children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

filleted building edges, barriers and wire nets create a safe environment while keeping with the technicolored fun

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children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

image © designboom

 

 

children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

in lieu of rectilinear walls, the architect chose to lay tangent to the vertices

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children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

while the architecture is supposed to be fun, the overarching goal was to create a form that helped children develop spatial  and social relationships on a cognitive level

image © designboom

 

 

children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

glazed tiles allows for an impressive range of tints and shades to create a dynamic surface

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children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

the facade tiles were created with a unique firing method that allows perfectly calculated curves to create a continuous-looking skin

image © designboom

 

 

children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

primary and secondary colors intensify each other in context

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children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

the groundbreaking skin of the building architectonically matches the educational experiments implemented  inside the classroom

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children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

vibrant tiles titillate against the valencian sky

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children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

interior circulation continues that curved language of the exterior

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children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

the clusters of buildings vary from single level to three storey structures

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children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

image © designboom

 

 

children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

a system of ramps connects the classroom spaces with common areas

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children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

image © designboom

 

children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

curved interiors also direct circulation

image © designboom

 

 

children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

image © designboom

 

 

children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

image © designboom

 

 

children's innovation centre in valencia clad in colorful tiles

ramón spaudo of m2 proyectos and lead architect ana garcia salas of foursquare architects stand in front of one of the modules

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