Salesiano Jardim Camburi School, located in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil, has gained a new space dedicated to early childhood education. The project, designed by Estúdio Protobox, transformed an underused structure, characterized by challenging and uninviting architecture, into a flexible space that encourages autonomy and collaboration between children.

The brief was based on the need for a contemporary educational space that encompassed early childhood education as a whole, principles inspired by the Montessori method and the guidelines of the National Common Core Curriculum (BNCC). The main objective was to create a stimulating environment in which different classes could interact and share learning experiences.

To satisfy these requirements, the project was divided into five pedagogical approaches – “The self, the other and the we”, a space without walls focused on stimulating exchanges between children; “Bodies, gestures and movements”, a sector focused on body movement and physical activities; “Traces, sounds, colors and shapes”, interpreted in furniture and drawings on the floor; “Listening, speaking, thinking and imagining”, which has an arena for storytelling and exchanging ideas; and “spaces, times, quantities, relationships and transformations”, designed so that the children can move around the space taking advantage of the furniture in its scale.

The choice of materials was designed according to the project’s objectives. One example is the blanket vinyl flooring, selected because it is comfortable, ideal for young children, and because of its color versatility, which allowed areas to be delimited using attractive designs.

“The layout is one of the highlights of the project. We’ve created very flexible spaces, with every element designed for teachers and students to make the most of. We have colorful and stimulating environments for children, but without neglecting the functionality necessary for teaching practice,” says Renata La Rocca, founding partner.
With a view to stimulating the various practices of everyday life, the project also includes a mini kitchen, a mini workshop, a greengrocer’s, an art studio, children’s toilets, a mini grandstand and verandas with decks for outdoor experiences.

Finally, the furniture, also developed by Estúdio Protobox, was guided by the project’s objective. These include small constructions simulating tree houses, body challenge elements for the children and portable beds.

Design: Estúdio Protobox
Photography: Thiago Santos