Peekaboo Daycare

Peekaboo Daycare is a project inspired by a popular children’s game; it is heavily based on the idea of creating a site to play the game ‘hide and seek’. Critical to this concept is the prioritization of visual connections; when playing the game, the catcher may see their target, but requires time to reach them as they navigate through circulation spaces thereby giving the target time to escape and run. This is where the fun of the game lies.

At Peekaboo Daycare, the relationship between visual versus physical connections is explored, through design moves including the use of a courtyard layout and a permeable building facade design. By incorporating a courtyard, as well as glass as the primary material in those areas of the building, children are able to see each other from a distance. Additionally, returning to the aforementioned ‘hide and seek’ concept, the courtyard is imagined as the centrally-positioned starting point for the game, where the participants disperse into their respective hiding spaces. The facade with changing levels of permeability creates a visually interesting structure from the street, while offering an opportunity to consider if light or privacy should be prioritized at each level of the building.

The materiality of this building is primarily a warm terracotta brick, juxtaposed against steel-framed walls, with the exterior stucco cladding painted white. The choice of brick is informed by the material of the surrounding buildings, while the use of a light-coloured material draws more light into the space to create a comfortable environment for children to learn and play.

While the use of brick allows this design to become integrated with its surroundings harmoniously, the facade is designed in such a way to still stand out. Each alternate brick is rotated in increasing increments; as occupants reach the top of the building, they will notice that the brick wall is staggered in such a way to allow for the highest permeability and porosity in these areas. This means that spaces of higher privacy are formed on the lower floors of the building, where programming such as the nap room and nurseries are located, while light and airy spaces are focussed towards the top.

With regards to the programme, spaces are split up into 3 areas. The first/ground floor is where the building is accessed from the street; the rooms on this floor include classrooms, the teachers’ office, reception, and more. The second floor is the space for passive play, including spaces for puzzles and art, as well as multi-media rooms. 

Finally, the upper floors and rooftop spaces are where programming for active play are located. This organization takes into consideration the requirement of privacy versus light.

Responding to the unique nature of this site, the building features a soft curve along the west side, which is the portion of site that neighbours several other buildings. This curve is incorporated to direct people towards the main entrance on the opposite side, and to create more open space on the corner where individuals can pause and appreciate the intricate brick facade. The arrangement of the building also allows for a rooftop gardening space on the south side; this is ideal to optimize the use of sunlight to benefit the growing plants, allowing the children to learn about native species, and how their food is produced. The incorporation of these green activities into these young children’s everyday lives is critical for multiple reasons; not only is nature known to be stress relieving and beneficial to psychological well-being, growing vegetables can also help to encourage children to eat healthier foods from a young age and can serve as the basis for lessons regarding concepts that are becoming increasingly important in our modern-day society, such as food sovereignty and avoiding food waste.

Ultimately, Peekaboo Daycare is designed as a playful and comfortable hub for children to learn, play and grow. It aims to stand out as a visually appealing space for the local community to enjoy, while remaining harmonious with the materiality and conditions of the existing site.