A groundbreaking child care facility at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus is redefining early childhood education spaces through innovative architectural design and cultural significance. The sʔitwənx Child Care Center, named after the Syilx word meaning "crane," represents a 650-square-meter facility that accommodates 37 children while embracing what architects call "Architectural Pragmatism" – a design philosophy that transforms limitations into creative opportunities.
Designed by Public Architecture + Design and completed in 2024, the facility challenged conventional child care design by moving away from traditional compartmentalized layouts. Instead of using many small, separate rooms typically found in child care programs, the architects created overlapping "discovery zones" where children can freely explore various activities including cooking, art, and movement. This open-concept approach encourages interaction and flexibility in learning environments.
The building's strategic positioning within the campus's child care precinct serves multiple functional purposes. Located in Kelowna, British Columbia, the structure helps shield outdoor play spaces from both the intense Okanagan sun and a nearby asphalt parking lot. The design team, led by Design Partner Brian Wakelin and including architects Irin Cho, Andrea Kopecka, Esther MacKenzie, Shane O'Neill, Catherine Wong, and Yiyi Zhou, faced significant site constraints including mature trees and numerous underground services, leading to the adoption of a long, narrow building aligned east to west.
The architectural solution employed six simple, pre-engineered truss shapes that maintain visual consistency while creating varied interior experiences. All trusses share the same outer roof profile to keep the building form simple, but the undersides vary strategically to shape interior spaces in ways that feel familiar and home-like, particularly in kitchens, nap areas, and playrooms. This approach eliminated the need for additional framing while creating intimate, residential-scale environments within the institutional setting.
Construction challenges added complexity to the project, as the new building had to be erected just six meters away from an existing child care center that remained operational throughout the construction period. To minimize disruption to daily operations, the construction schedule was compressed to ten months. The team utilized straightforward timber detailing and pre-manufactured wood trusses, allowing the main wooden structure to be erected in just three weeks – a remarkable achievement that exceeded quality expectations despite the constraints.
The project exemplifies how architectural creativity can emerge from practical limitations. When faced with a tight budget, the design team chose pre-made roof trusses rather than custom solutions. Instead of concealing these economical materials, they were deliberately exposed, demonstrating that cost-effective construction can still achieve architectural distinction. This transparent approach to materials and construction methods became a defining characteristic of the facility.
Throughout the construction process, curious children from the adjacent facility watched the heavy equipment and building progress, creating an unexpected educational opportunity. The construction team rose to this unique challenge by maintaining exceptionally clean work sites and delivering superior craftsmanship, turning the building process itself into a learning experience for the young observers.
The sʔitwənx Child Care Center stands as a testament to thoughtful design that honors both cultural heritage and contemporary educational needs. By incorporating the Syilx language in its naming and embracing design principles that prioritize flexibility and openness, the facility represents a new model for early childhood education architecture that balances practical requirements with meaningful cultural connection and innovative spatial concepts.
