Little Knights

Los Angeles, CA, United States

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Little Knights

Los Angeles, CA, United States

Firm

KeltnerCo

Type

Educational › Nursery Other

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2017

SIZE

3000 sqft - 5000 sqft

BUDGET

$500K - 1M

Photos

Kevin Krupitzer (11)

Los Angeles' Little Knights Parent & Me center creates an educational setting for new parents and their young children to strengthen the parent-child bond while interacting and socializing with other community members in the neighborhood. KeltnerCo's design team came up with an exuberant concept mixing indoor and outdoor spaces with facades that spark the imagination. Focusing on a high contrast colorful facade was crucial to the playful concept which sought to stimulate newborn and toddler cognitive function and promote an uplifting & motivating attitude during play and learning. The eclectic combination of patterns and colors were carefully designed, selected, and placed to both provide a contrast of the upper and lower volumes of the building and also to invoke unique emotional reactions from room to room.

Although situated at the back of the 28,000 sq.ft. campus, the main entry axis of the site aligns with the western edge of the building. The lack of proper storage for the school was addressed by aligning a two story storage space along these axis. This change in form functions as a welcoming and charming waypoint to those entering the campus.

Encompassed within Little Knights are two outdoor play spaces, a classroom/studio space, a small shop, teacher lounge, and storage area. The outdoor play spaces flank either side of the studio and shop space. The playground is partially shaded by an overhang integral to the architecture of the building, while the “Womb Room” is covered throughout with a billowing fabric shade structure and a live wall utilizing a recycled set prop from “The Price is Right.” Carefully oriented to take full advantage of the temperate Los Angeles climate, large pocketing and sliding glass doors open to the outdoor spaces. Classes are often taught with these doors open, virtually eliminating the need for cooling.