Peabody Terrace Children’s Center Playground

Imagine a children’s center nestled at the base of a remarkable building, designed by the talented architect Josep Sert. This center, known as Peabody Terrace Children’s Center, sought a playground that seamlessly blended with the aesthetic of the building. The staff, parents, and children reimagined the outdoor spaces and created custom-storage structures that echoed the unique design of the building.  The result is a harmonious and functional children’s center, completed in 2015, that caters to the pedagogical goals of its young occupants.

Project Overview

Harvard University

Harvard University was the Owner of the project, seeking to renovate the Peabody Terrace Children’s Center located in Cambridge, MA. As a prestigious institution, Harvard was committed to creating a high-quality play space for the children that would align with their architectural standards.

Location: Cambridge, MA

The Peabody Terrace Children’s Center is situated in the vibrant city of Cambridge, Massachusetts. This prime location provided an opportunity to create an engaging and interactive outdoor area that would benefit both the children and the surrounding community.

Size: 6,050 SF

With a size of 6,050 square feet, the project had a significant space to work with. The designers had the chance to design a creative and functional outdoor area that would accommodate the needs and desires of the children, while also adhering to the architectural constraints imposed by the existing building design.

Architectural Considerations

Based on the architecturally significant “Sert” building design by Josep Sert

The Peabody Terrace Children’s Center is located at the base of the architecturally significant “Sert” building, designed by renowned architect Josep Sert. It was crucial for the play areas to seamlessly blend with the existing architecture, maintaining the integrity and beauty of the building while enhancing the outdoor experience for the children.

Integration of play areas with the building’s architecture

Great care was taken to integrate the play areas with the building’s architecture. The design team paid attention to the visual elements, such as color schemes, materials, and patterns, ensuring a harmonious connection between the play spaces and the overall design of the building.

Custom-storage structures designed to complement building patterning

To further enhance the architectural coherence, custom-storage structures were designed to complement the patterning of the building. These structures not only provided functional storage solutions for the children’s toys and equipment but also added an aesthetic element that tied in with the overall design.

Collaborative Design Process

Involvement of staff, parents, and children in re-imagining outdoor areas

The design process for the Peabody Terrace Children’s Center involved active collaboration with various stakeholders, including the staff, parents, and the children themselves. Their input and feedback were invaluable in re-imagining the outdoor areas and ensuring that the play spaces aligned with the needs and desires of the children.

Supporting teaching goals through play space design

Understanding the importance of play in early childhood education, the design team made it a priority to support the teaching goals of the Center through their design. The play spaces were carefully planned to provide a variety of play opportunities that would stimulate the physical, cognitive, and social development of the children.

Variety of play opportunities for each age group

Recognizing the diverse age groups present at the Center, the design team created a play space that catered to the specific needs and abilities of each group. From sensory play areas for infants to more challenging structures for older children, every age group had access to engaging and developmentally appropriate play opportunities.

Custom-Storage Structures

Designing structures to complement building patterning

In addition to the play areas, custom-storage structures were designed to complement the patterning of the building. These structures served a dual purpose of providing functional storage solutions for the children’s toys and equipment while maintaining visual harmony with the overall design of the Center.

Providing functional and aesthetically pleasing storage solutions

The custom-storage structures were not only designed to be aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional. They were strategically placed throughout the outdoor areas, ensuring easy access for both the children and the staff. These structures helped keep the play spaces organized and clutter-free, promoting a safe and efficient environment for play.

Construction and Coordination

Preparation of construction documents

The construction documents detailed the specifications, dimensions, and materials required for the construction of the play spaces, as well as the custom-storage structures. The attention to detail in the construction documents helped streamline the construction process and minimize any potential issues.

Collaboration with the University facilities department

As the Peabody Terrace Children’s Center is affiliated with Harvard University, collaboration with the University facilities department was crucial. The design team worked closely with the facilities department to coordinate the construction of the play spaces, ensuring that all necessary approvals and permits were obtained. This collaboration helped facilitate a seamless integration of the new play areas with the existing infrastructure.

Minimizing disruption to Center operations during construction

Efforts were made to schedule construction activities outside of peak operating hours, and temporary alternative play spaces were provided to ensure that the children could continue to engage in outdoor play throughout the construction period.

Capacity and Completion

Peabody Terrace Children’s Center has a capacity of 60 children

Upon completion of the project in 2015, the Peabody Terrace Children’s Center was able to accommodate up to 60 children. This increased capacity allowed more children to benefit from the redesigned play spaces and the pedagogical goals supported by the new design.

Project completed in 2015

The project, from initial design to final construction, was completed in 2015. The dedication and collaborative efforts of the design team, staff, parents, and the children themselves culminated in the creation of a vibrant and engaging outdoor space that continues to serve as a catalyst for the physical, cognitive, and social development of the children at the Peabody Terrace Children’s Center. In conclusion, the renovation of the Peabody Terrace Children’s Center exemplifies the power of collaborative design and the importance of integrating play spaces with the existing architecture. The result is a visually cohesive and inspiring outdoor environment that supports the pedagogical goals of the Center and fosters the holistic development of the children.