Villa Aimilia, Preschool Courtyard Redesign in Athens

Villa Aimilia, a historic Athenian preschool unit established in 1963, has attained an existing educational building in Psychico erected originally in the 1970s, formerly dedicated to children ages 12-18, and required a renovation of the building and the yard in order to accommodate young children at the age of preschool, kindergarten and primary school. Due to programmatic and regulatory requirements, the school yard had to accommodate a basketball court addressed to primary school students, and a playground opted for the children of kindergarten. The two distinct age groups would use the play area during school brakes occurring at different periods within the day. The design aimed to overcome the division of the space created by the distinct uses of the court and the playground, by children of different age and different skills, and blend the two operations in a design that gradually addresses all age groups, from 4 years till ultimately 12 years old, while at the same time providing a safe environment appropriate for all students.  The design of the yard creates an environment that enhances free play, creativity, imagination, and activity based learning.