Due to recent transformations in the child-rearing landscape and the rise in dual-income households, there is an escalating demand for after-school and out-of-school care services catering to elementary school-age children. As of mid-July 2023, the na...
Due to recent transformations in the child-rearing landscape and the rise in dual-income households, there is an escalating demand for after-school and out-of-school care services catering to elementary school-age children. As of mid-July 2023, the nationwide count of out-of-school elementary child care facilities stood at 938, a substantial surge from the 10 facilities reported in January 2018, marking a noteworthy increase in the facility count over the past five years. Despite this surge in demand and proliferation of such facilities, academic inquiry into the establishment of out-of-school care facilities remains notably absent. Consequently, this research holds significance as the inaugural academic investigation into the spatial and architectural considerations pertinent to out-of-school elementary child care facilities.
The objective of this study is to discern the architectural planning attributes inherent in the physical environment of out-of-school elementary child care facilities, specifically focusing on spatial composition and relationships. Additionally, the investigation aims to elucidate the interplay between the content of activities, or programs, conducted within these care facilities and the utilization of space. Through this, this paper aims to identify spatial composition and architectural planning characteristics and provide basic information for future architectural planning and design of out-of-school elementary child care facilities.
The focus of this research centers on the integrated type of the "Uridongne Kium Center," an out-of-school elementary child care facility managed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Out-of-school elementary child care facilities in Seoul are categorized into three types based on facility size in area: general type (80㎡ or larger, integrated type (210㎡ or larger), and base type (1,000㎡ or larger). The rationale behind selecting Seoul City's integrated type elementary child care facility as the subject lies in its deemed suitability as an out-of-school elementary child care facility, considering both facility size and the range of services it offers. Currently, there are 26 integrated type elementary child care facilities in Seoul. From the floor plans made available by the district office, a total of 18 facilities were chosen as research subjects, as they afford visibility into the interior spatial structure of the facilities. This study centers on these 18 integrated-type out-of-school elementary child care facilities in Seoul, aiming to investigate the spatial composition of each function within the facility, the patterns of movement and spatial structure, and the topological spatial relationships among major spaces. Additionally, the research incorporates a survey through telephone interviews to investigate the relationship between space and program operation in those care facilities.
The study found that Seoul's integrated type elementary child care facility encompasses five primary functions, namely common space, activity space, management support space, hygiene space, and other spaces. The average distribution of space area by function reveals that activity space constitutes the largest proportion at 56.11%, followed by management support space at 17.01%, common space at 15.65%, hygiene space at 8.04%, and other space at 3.20%. While there may be slight variations in the space composition ratio for each function among different facilities, the consistent order of space allocation for each of the five functions is maintained. This analysis indicates that the activity space, where care and educational activities are conducted, occupies more than half of the total facility area, establishing itself as a central component in the spatial composition.
The circulation spaces that establish connections within these facilities can be categorized into two main types: corridor and hall. In the examination of 29 floor plans representing 18 facilities, 17 instances (60%) were identified as hall-type movement spaces, while 12 instances (40%) were categorized as corridor-type. The prevalence of hall-type spaces is perceived as a strategic choice aimed at optimizing the utilization of the relatively limited total floor area. This preference for hall-type circulation system is likely driven by the need for efficient utilization when the activity space is constrained, and a continuous spatial configuration is deemed crucial, emphasizing space utilization as a priority. Conversely, the corridor type is regarded advantageous in circumstances where a sufficiently large area is secured, and ensuring the independence of each room is a priority. This strategic selection is aligned with the specific spatial requirements and objectives of the care facility, considering both size constraints and the desired level of spatial autonomy.
Spatial connectivity and average depth were investigated to explore the topological spatial relationships of care facilities using justified graphs. First, in the analysis of spatial connectivity originating from the main entrance, revealed that the tree-shaped spatial structure was the most prevalent (10 occurrences), followed by the ring structure (7 occurrences) and the linear structure (1 occurrence). Furthermore, the average mean depth across all 18 facilities, as determined from the exterior, was relatively shallow at 3.78. Notably, the tree type, characterized by a comparatively deeper structure at 4.02, was observed in only one instance. These outcomes are construed in light of the fact that care facilities cater to elementary school children, suggesting lower power dynamics among children and teachers, limited differentiation between children, and minimal distinctions among teachers. In essence, the spatial structure of elementary child care facilities outside of schools is perceived as favoring connectivity and communal use over functional differentiation.
Furthermore, the analysis of connectivity relationships between individual activity rooms, revealed that a spatial arrangement characterized by high adjacency and low spatial differentiation between dynamic activity rooms was predominant. On the contrary, within static activity spaces, each room was linked through a circulating space such as corridor and etc., resulting in a configuration with high spatial differentiation. The majority of types within static spaces emphasized independence, highlighting the distinct and autonomous nature of each activity room. This means that the architectural planning characteristics required for dynamic and static activity spaces are different. Consequently, dynamic activity spaces necessitate close adjacency or connection to a hall, facilitating high interaction, while static activity spaces benefit from an individual-room plan and an arrangement that incorporates intermediary spaces such as hallways, fostering independence and spatial differentiation.
This study aimed to delineate the spatial composition and architectural planning characteristics specific to out–of-school elemenatary child care facilities. Through empirical investigation, it scrutinized the interrelation between activity content and spatial utilization within these care facilities. The findings of this study can furnish essential insights, serving as basic data for prospective architectural planning and design endeavors pertaining to out-of-school elementary child care facilities.