Manawa Children’s Village
Manawa Early Learning Village collaborated with Play’n’Learn to design and establish captivating environments, developed with a focus on fostering the innate light within each individual.
The objective for Play’n’Learn was to create interior learning spaces reflecting Manawa’s vision of Living Spaces, drawing inspiration from both home and nature, while offering diverse sensory-rich experiences.
Play’n’Learn’s scope in this project included the spatial design, the flexible furniture, and the fixed furnishings and decor for five home-pods and the outdoor learning environment. The home-pods (or learning environments) catered for both under 2s and over 2s, and included two primary spaces: a calm and slow lounge area for relaxing, reading, sleeping, and fine motor activities; and a fun and fast living room area for free-play, art, kai, gross motor activities, and school-readiness skills. The outdoor learning environments feature moveable play equipment that is challenging and stimulating for different age groups.
The overall design style of the learning environments at Manawa incorporates an eclectic mix of natural wood, warm pastel colours and greenery. The use of textured fabrics, natural wood and plants created a refreshing and cosy base, while the addition of earthy materials, rattan and wicker pendants, lamps, trinkets, ornaments, and succulents added character and vibrance to each pod. The colours also subtly complemented the theme for each pod, which was inspired by NZ landscapes such as mountains, valleys, forests, and beaches. The design also followed the principles of biophilic design – the design of nature – to bring the spaces to life with natural light, living plants, earthy materials, and sensory-rich experiences.
We extend our congratulations to the Manawa team for the successful partnership with Play’n’Learn, in designing, manufacturing, and fitting out learning environments that truly serve as a ‘home away from home’ for whanau and tamariki.
