Thesis Pisa Final

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM/ DAYCARE MIND IN MOTION

GIANNA PISA

IDE451

BUFFALO STATE UNIVERSITY

SPRING 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS Thesis Relevance

1

Schematic Design

24

Research

2

Design Development

26

Human Centered Theories

4

Renderings

30

Precedent Studies

11

Recap

44

Thesis Statement

14

Site Analysis

15

Programming

18

INTERIOR DESIGN THESIS TOPIC

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Exhibits to help children develop motor and cognitive skills WHY THIS TOPIC? There is a need for spaces that support children’s development due to the increase of technology usage

WHERE? Middle class areas with lower class in the surrounding areas, also nearby local transportation

POSITIVE IMPACT? This will help the development of children, give them a head start in life, and encourage them to be present in their learning

THE PROBLEM

INCREASED SCREEN TIME VS DEVELOPMENT IMPACT ON CHILDREN

TIME FRAME 1 - 4 hours of screen time per day at age 1 is linked with higher risks of developmental delays in communication, fine motor, problem solving, and personal and social skills in children

TECHNOLOGY Takes time from interpersonal relationships that nurture social skills

EFFECTS If children don’t have enough time to play or are handed a tablet to pacify negative emotions, that could prevent the ability to navigate discomfort

INTERACTIVE EDUCATION POSITIVE IMPACT ON CHILDREN

PHYSICAL HEALTH

PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH

COGNITIVE HEALTH

SOCIAL HEALTH

Improves:

Improves:

Improves:

Improves:

Motor Skills

Risk Taking

Problem Solving

Speech

Coordination

Self Expression

Creativity

Empathy

Balance

Emotional Regulation

Memory

Communication

Overall Fitness and Health

Concentration

INTERACTIVE EDUCATION ACTIVITY IDEAS

PLAY-DOH

OBSTACLE COURSE

DANCING

FINGER PAINTING

Strengthens:

Strengthens:

Strengthens:

Strengthens:

Hand and Wrist Muscles

Coordination

Energetic Movement

Finger Dexterity

Hand Eye Coordination

Balance

Coordination/ Balance

Creativity

Creativity

Agility

Spatial Awareness

Hand Eye Coordination

Spatial Awareness

Creativity

Finger Isolation

INTERIOR DESIGN FOR CHILDREN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS

WAYFINDING

EFFECTS

COLOR SCHEME

Colors can guide wayfinding and help children navigate easier

Influences attention, memory, and learning processes

Children prefer red, purple, pink, and blue

Overly cluttered and excessively bright palettes can overwhelm kids

Color can increase willingness to participate in activities

Successful designs integrate balanced palettes of bright colors with neutral accents

HUMAN CENTERED THEORIES PIAGET’S THEORY OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT AND EMBODIED COGNITION

Learning happens through social interaction and exploration Cognitive development is tied to sensory engagement

Exibits should be collaborative which encourages children and adults to solve challenges together

Exhibits should require movement as this will help build and strengthen fine and gross motor skills while reinforcing thinking while doing

Exibits should encourage hands-onexploration, cause and effect play, and problem solving

HUMAN CENTERED THEORIES VYGOTSKY’S SOCIOCULTURAL THEORY

Social Interaction Encouraging children to interact with each other helps them to learn and develop important social skills

Problem Solving Is Important Spaces should allow for guided learning and peer interaction, such as teamwork-based play stations

Collaboration Exhibits should involve activities where children and caretakers can solve challenges together

HUMAN CENTERED THEORIES ERGONOMICS, ADA, & SAFETY

Seating < 2 years 3-5 years 5-8 years

Safety = no more than 8” = 12” = between 13 - 15”

Tables 1-2 years 3-4 years 4-6 years

All large fixtures should be bolted to the wall to avoid risk of falling

ADA = 15” = 20” = 23”

Tables and counters should sit at 28-34” high

Safety

Diversity

Any sharp edges should be rounded to avoid risk of injury

Furniture and designs should keep a range of sizes in mind. Such as adults and age range of children

PRECEDENT STUDIES MUSEUM OF PLAY, ROCHESTER NY Texture -Encourages touch exploration

Repetition/ Pattern -Promotes visual interest

Open Enclosure Located in the heart of downtown Rochester. Spanning approximately 150,000 square feet over 2 floors. 1 Manhattan Sq. Dr, Rochester, NY 14607

-Encourages nondestructive viewing

PRECEDENT STUDIES EXPLORE AND MORE, BUFFALO NY Texture -Encourages exploration of touch

Open Enclosure -Breaks up space and makes the interior more intimate

Unity Located in the heart of downtown Buffalo. Spanning approximately 43,000 square feet over 4 floors. 130 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202

-Creates unity of various shapes to explore by touch and enhances visual interest

PRECEDENT STUDIES THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANAPOLIS IN Shape/ Focal Point -Creates visual interest

Repetition -Helps with wayfinding

Detail/ Movement Located in the outskirts of downtown Indianapolis. Spanning approximately 472,900 square feet over 5 floors. 3000 N. Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46208

-Encourages touch exploration and visual interest

THESIS STATEMENT Mind in Motion is an interactive children’s museum in where the exhibits help children develop and fine tune their cognitive and motor skills. This is possible through the use of exhibits in which are interactive and enjoyable for kids without realizing they’re learning. To help keep children engaged a bright and colorful palette will be used to energize but also stimulate kids and their attention. This thesis argues that this generation has had too much screen time which has negatively affected the development in today’s youth. Due to this this thesis aims towards encouraging kids to step away from screens, be present in the moment and use tangible items to explore and learn.

SITE ANALYSIS OLIVER GEAR

This project site is located near the heart of downtown Buffalo NY. The site itself is surrounded by residential neighborhoods and multiple schools.The exact site location is 1120 Niagara St, Buffalo, NY 14213.

SITE ANALYSIS TRANSPORTATION Bike Path Runs right in front of site location

Bus Stops Many different bus locations in close proximity to site location

Traffic Lights Two in front of site

Parking Various options for parking, including a parking lot right to the left of site

SITE ANALYSIS EXISTING CONDITIONS

Merge Two Buildings

Approx. 44,000 sq ft

Opportunity for Two Levels

Oliver Gear

Interesting Architecture

Easily Accessible

Natural Light

Central Community Hub

Direct Access to Parking

Malt House

PROGRAMMING OCCUPANCY

PROGRAMMING ZONING

PROGRAMMING ZONING

PROGRAMMING DESIGN ITERATIONS

PROGRAMMING PARTI AND SPATIAL DIAGRAM

PROGRAMMING PARTI AND SPATIAL DIAGRAM

SCHEMATIC DESIGN EXHIBIT MOOD BOARD

SCHEMATIC DESIGN EDUCATIONAL MOOD BOARD

FIRST FLOOR FLOOR PLAN LEGEND ENTRY

THEATER

COAT ROOM

POOL ROOM

LOCKER ROOM

HOSPITAL

BATHROOM

SALON

CAFE

POST OFFICE

PLAYGROUND

POLICE STATION

GIFT SHOP

SCHOOL

ART STUDIO

ICE CREAM PARLOR

GAME ROOM

BACK OF HOUSE

DAYCARE

SENSORY ROOM

TRAIN STATION

AQUARIUM

GROCERY STORE

SPACE ROOM

GARDEN

CLASSROOMS

PLAY THEATER

LIBRARY

SECOND FLOOR

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EAST SECTION BACK OF HOUSE

MALT HOUSE

OLIVER GEAR

HIGH CEILING INTRODUCES WONDER WITHOUT STIMULATION LOW CEILING IS MORE INTIMATE AND COZY

LOW CEILING IS MORE INTIMATE AND COZY

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT NORTH SECTION BACK OF HOUSE

LOW CEILING IS MORE INTIMATE AND COZY

MALT HOUSE

OLIVER GEAR

HIGH CEILING INTRODUCES WONDER WITHOUT STIMULATION

LOW CEILING IS MORE INTIMATE AND COZY

CAFE ZONE 1 SOCIAL AND ARRIVAL ENERGY

ART STUDIO ZONE 4 SENSORY MODULATION

Finger dexterity development strengthens hand muscles for precision

GAME ROOM ZONE 3 CONTROLLED ENERGY

Involes rules, turn taking, and attention

DAYCARE ZONE 2 PEAK ENERGY

SENSORY WALL ZONE 4 SENSORY MODULATION

Sensory exploration supports discovery and understanding

SENSORY POOL ROOM ZONE 4 SENSORY MODULATION

Sensory exploration supports discovery and understanding

KID CITY ZONE 3 CONTROLLED ENERGY

Introduces life skill development, builds responsibility, and confidence

GARDEN ZONE 3 CONTROLLED ENERGY

Helps with finger dexterity and hand coordination

HOSPITAL ZONE 3 CONTROLLED ENERGY

Introduces life skill development, builds decision making, and vocabulary

CAFE ZONE 3 CONTROLLED ENERGY

Introduces life skills, develops finger movement

SCHOOL ZONE 3 CONTROLLED ENERGY

Introduces life skills, develops patience, and social skills

PLAYGROUND ZONE 5 FOCUSED MOVEMENT

Movement becomes intentional and exerts last bits of energry before quiet zones

AQUARIUM ZONE 5 FOCUSED MOVEMENT

Sensory exploration supports discovery and understanding

LIBRARY ZONE 6 CALM REFLECTION