BAAO architects designs its 'city kids' school in brooklyn with soft shapes

a new school in williamsburg

brooklyn-based studio BAAO architects completes a school dubbed ‘city kids.’ the new childhood education center is located in williamsburg, and hosts six preschool classrooms open which onto a central double-height courtyard gathering space. this courtyard features a thickened wall that incorporates the reception desk and storage cubbies and provides a central gathering space for the classrooms.

windows of varying shapes and sizes in the interior façade allow borrowed light to enter the surrounding spaces on both levels, and provide visual access for children and teachers. the classrooms are interconnected through double doors and shared spaces such as bathrooms and play sinks, with half-height walls that allow for visual privacy for the kids, and monitoring capability for the teachers.

images © francis dzikowski | @fdphotonyc

BAAO architects’ after-school space

the BAAO architects-designed ‘city kids’ education center will stand as an after-school program for elementary school students. apertures bring light and views to the courtyard and the street, while lockers wrap the courtyard volume, recalling the image of a city skyline. specialized classrooms for cooking, theater, STEM, and movement are accessed off of the upper hallway. a lounge with bleacher seats provides a place for informal gathering. light fixtures of different types and sizes are suspended to provide an animated ceiling plane.

inside the building at ‘city kids’

the team at BAAO architects wraps the entries to the ‘city kids’ classrooms and windows with plank flooring while acoustic felt panels, cut into graphic shapes, provide visual interest. the pandemic prompted some ventilation improvements in the form of electronic and ultraviolet light HVAC filters, touchless security and check-in points, as well as the addition of operable windows to bring light and air to all classrooms.

a lounge with bleacher seats provides a place for informal gathering
lockers wrap the courtyard volume, recalling the image of a city skyline
acoustic felt panels are cut into graphic shapes to provide visual interest