Munchkin´s Club Monaco
is a private children’s culture club for the most formative years in children’s early life. According to extensive research in early child development, human beings are never more open, sensitive or receptive to the stimuli coming from the environment than from birth to age six.
Thus a place for both, young children and parents, in the heart of Monte Carlo was created. The club is located on the first floor of NiBox, a building dedicated to the youth, only a few paces away from the Mediterranean coast.
The colour-concept of the club reflects this Mediterranean atmosphere.
Different shades of blue and turquoise combined with topical items such as coral shaped lamps are introduced to the entrance area and the café.
Further back the colours change into bright yellow. Therefor the atmosphere changes throughout the club. In this way the colour-concept also serves as orientation for the children.
Different play and working areas are featured on an area of 350 sqm, such as teaching classes for arts and crafts, cooking and kitchen-science, music and dance. They are specially equipped with customized furniture, such as blackboards, etc. A cafe & lounge area for parents and children offers high quality organic food. The long bench in the café continues into the space where it widens up and turns into a wooden podium that wraps around an eye-shaped air-space, which was part of the existing space.
In the back part of the club the wooden podium enlarges to an open field for free play at the height of 35 cm. Spaces dedicated to themes as lego, toy blocks, marked etc. step down and are nested like pockets in this podium. They also help to organise the different toys and tool. The storytelling and reading area is part of the podium. Shelves, tables, chairs and stools are child-sized, toys, tools and materials easily accessible to all age groups. The interior design concept is based on the pedagogical knowledge that children till the age of 11 years need to develop their experience of depth. Stepping onto the podium and getting down into the lower areas enhances this.
Adjacent to the reception area is a boutique, which offers unique and practical products for children, crafted gifts, clothing and accessories.