The Dream Block

The Dream Block is inspired by the children's game that everyone has played in their childhood : building blocks, the outline of our project has been created by assembling 3 different sizes of blocks : 7.5m/7.5m; 5m/5m and 2.5m/2.5m.
We then decided to use a grid, which base module is 1.25m/1.25m, in elevation and plan views to sculpt our volumes.
We chose building blocks for the significance it has in every child’s world as it is a means to dream and construct one’s imaginary and ideal space.

When we organized the elements of our project, our main idea was : “The further from the main road, the more private the functions become”.

In the beginning we tried to organize our spaces around a central interior courtyard, but then with the limitations of the ground coverage and FAR, we realized that we will be covering only a small portion of our actual site, so we decided to change the elements’ organization in order to better use the plot we were given.

The main goal we tried to achieve is to create a nurturing environment where the resident kids would feel at home while being enveloped by Nature’s embrace, and that is why all the living spaces face the courtyard, so that the children can still profit from the view even if they are staying inside. Likewise, we chose not to separate the kitchen-dining-hall-sitting area so that the children can also contribute to cooking when there are visiting parents for example.
They could as well share snacks with neighboring school children if they happen to be allowed in.

What greets the visitors upon arrival in the Dream Block is a memorial garden, which will be the place to remember the little angels that once took refuge under the Block’s roof, that ensures the transition between the road and the building entrance.
We decided to separate the administration side from the actual living quarters of the children in order to give them privacy and free roaming of the space while being in a secure environment. And to facilitate staff access, we added bridges that link both building parts on the upper floors.
The Courtyard faces South so that the plants benefit from the sun exposure.
All the living space faces the courtyard, the service area however faces North which is the direction less exposed to sun beams
On the First Floor, a corridor of 2.5m of width starts at the beds' lifts and runs the whole distance to the entrance to permit easy evacuation in case of emergency.
As our terrain is constituted by different levels, we decided to even it all out to the level of the main road’s side so that we won’t be using stairs or ramps on the first floor.
Even though it was recommended to have several dining areas in some regulations we consulted during our research, we thought that it would be best to have a larger one facing the courtyard so that all the residents will come together like a big family, and children could interact together, benefit from the services of volunteers or teachers visiting from the nearby school, so the dining hall could double as a classroom.

The building is mainly made of concrete, which is the recommended material for healthcare facilities. We chose to use wood as well, as it is living and natural, so that the connection with Nature is increased. It is also a local material since the neighboring houses are all made of wood.
As for the choice of colors, we opted for pastel ones as a theme in our design because it inspires softness and helps to create a nurturing and sensitive environment for these children who need to be reassured and supported.