Children's ExploratoriumResolving Educational Barriers in the Learning Environment through the Principles of Gestalt Theory

and Amalgamated Design

“Childhood is a masquerade, a journey through ever-changing roles, expectations, and appearances

on the way toward selfhood.”

Program Original Square Footages

Program Original Square Footages

4340Circulation(40%) 1736 6076

Concept Development

The concept deconstruction is of the skeleton structure of the chameleon. I took its form and developed further

on the design elements. Words describe the feel I want from the experience of the museum.

Schematic Design

Buildings were given to the students according to their program; however, the building they originally gave

me was at the incorrect square footage. These block diagrams were displaying my first building type.

Schematic Design

Play space sketches

Preliminary Sketches

Sketches of possible experiential exhibits, anthropology wall exhibit, and ramp experiences

Code Research

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Design Development

DETAIL OF RAILING AND ART DISPLAY

SECTION OF RAMP

NOT TO SCALE

Design Development

PROXEMICS

Heights of the child allow for flexible uses of the adapting exhibitions, art studios, and play spaces.

Proxemics of play for introverted and extroverted explorerers within a learning environment. Design must adapt to multiple learning styles and be flexible with the dif ferent perceptial minds of children.

Synthesis: Solution

The solution to designing an authentic learning enviornment for chldren and adults to connect their perceptual

views to their world was to design an interactive children’s museum. This embraces the 21st Century learning

module of exploration, play, and creativity for the child, by adapting to ever-changing experiential spaces. Adaptive

learning environments ignite the curiosity of children as they challenge their senses and bodies through perception

and dialogue; their imaginations, infused by adults, allows for the essential connection of the mind with understanding.

This process will draw upon various psychological influences, including gestalt therapy and somaesthetics, which

bridge the gap of perceptual awareness within the learned environment for children and adults.

Solution: Somaesthetics, using the body as a learning instrument to adapt to diverse environments.