The American Embassy School Pre-K Pod questions the traditional definition of a classroom for early education. The pod is re-imagined as distinct zones of activity with specific spatial characteristics that responds to the quality and level of activity within them. The open-floor plan with the different zones has been designed carefully to be playful and transparent yet structured, which will nurture the child’s education through introspection, exploration, collaboration and discovery. The interiors respond to the needs of the different spaces through highly functional customized solutions right from the material, texture, colour to the design of each and every element in the pod thereby creating a space that is sensitive to the needs of children. Lots of wood with white and strategical introduction of accents make it feel like an “extension of the home”.

Among the main features of the pod are a series of mound, built from layers of wood for the children to climb, sit, stand, jump, and explore. A sensory walk leads to the wooden treehouse creates a nice play area in the corner of the pod. The central feature of the pod is the learning tree made from wood and rope which is inspired from the existing banyan tree on the campus. The atelier and the commons open out to a deck which has perforated aluminium screens on the ceiling which creates an interesting dynamic pattern with light and shade.

Acoustical ceiling with mirror ceilings create an interesting play over the tree and the mounds. The customized lighting systems in different zones emit light upward and downward, diffusing soft and sufficient light to every corner of the space. The specially designed troughs with drying racks, community wall with display areas, partition with storage racks, stage with green screen are some of the many design elements of the pod. Special attention to the functional details in design of the elements all throughout the pod helps with utilizing every corner of the pod for learning and helping in the growth and natural development of children.