Evaluation of the Occupied Area of Children Aged between 3 and 5 Years Old in Different Kindergarten Spaces

Abstract: This paper contains the second stage of the research "The minimum area required for children aged between 3 and 5 years old in a kindergarten", which was developed between Buen Comienzo Programme, Medellin’s Municipality and Architects Julie Waldron and Ader Garcia. Often, kindergarten are planned in a conventional way of construction; they are designed following standard building measurements (NTC4595), given by the quantity of square meters per child, rather than the spatial necessities. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the occupation area of a child in three different spaces: the classroom, cafeteria and bathrooms, as well as their correspondent activities: drawing, sleeping, eating and cleaning up. The study was developed photographing a 5 years old model, which was performing the selected activities. The photo analysis showed that the area needed in a space should not be limited by the equivalent area physically covered by the children solely performing the activities. Thus, each activity was compared in different children grouping configurations and these were analysed in different room shapes. The results were evaluated aiming to find the average occupation area. Finally, this research integrates: activity and shape of indoor spaces and dynamic required rates.

Keywords: Minimum Area, Kindergarten, Educational Architecture

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1001346

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