"We now know that children learn best through play, an understanding that has guided us to re-envision how our children's spaces could maximize children's learning."
-Siobhan A. Reardon, Free Library president and director
The playspaces for the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Whitman, Wyoming, and Cecil B. Moore Branches are part of a broader dialogue around contemporary library programming. The playspaces provide opportunities for kids to engage the library through movement and play, be it on a climbing wall at the Cecil B. Moore branch, on stage at the Wyoming branch, or from a new vantage point within the tower at the Whitman Branch.
Attune to the body of a child, each design employs a kit-of-parts approach to add a new scale of spaces to the library. Each space has a variety of elements: surfaces that prompt climbing, “life size” blocks for seating and building, alcoves for read alouds, nooks for solo reading, and magnetic boards with sets of letters and shapes to encourage language development and math-based learning with fractions, sorting, and pattern recognition.
Designs for each space were forged through a series of hands-on design charrettes with kids, caregivers, librarians and staff. Though similar in spirit, each playspace reflects the communities they serve and responds to the unique architectural context of each branch. At Cecil B. Moore Branch, the triangulated geometry of the playspace takes its cue from an existing mural in the children’s wing featuring a historical narrative unfolding on a triangular grid. At Whitman Branch, a tower provides kids with a new vantage point out to the city through existing clerestory windows, and at Wyoming branch, the form of the stage echoes classical motifs present throughout the original Carnegie Library.
Projects
The Clay Studio
Frances M. Maguire Art Museum
The Cooper
Matchbox
Bigham Leatherberry Wise Place
The Study at University City
Campus Bookstore & Development Office
Caesar Rodney Hall - Dining & Residential
W P Point
Base Camp Delta
Margaret Passmore Trickey Building
Gore Capabilities Center
Multi-purpose Building
Edible Garden and Classroom
Discovery Center
PPR Residence Hall
Jefferson School
Pavilion & Children's Discovery Garden at Sister Cities Park
Housing Northwest Arkansas
300 Rouse
150 Rouse Boulevard
Library Playspace
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Construction Training & Education Center
Arts Café Expansion & Renovation
Yards Brewery
Shallcross Hall
Bus Shelters
Gettysburg Montessori
Dogfish Head Brews and Eats
Annex Training Facility
The Global Learning Center
The Cove
201 Rouse Boulevard
351 Rouse Boulevard
Delaware History Museum
Barnegat House
Pool Pavilion
Private Residence
Rural Loft
Rittenhouse Hill
Veil Garden
East Lansing 2030
Terracurtain
Corn Mobile
DIGSAU
340 North 12th Street
Suite 421
Philadelphia, PA 19107
v 215.627.0808

If you would like to be considered for an internship or full-time position, e-mail a cover letter, resume, references and portfolio to employment@digsau.com as one PDF document. Please limit attachments to 2MB. We will respond to you should the appropriate opportunity be available. No phone calls please.
---
Transparency in Coverage—Machine Readable Files