Most of our work involves designing for adults – office workers and visitors, health care workers and patients, retail shoppers and employees, college students and faculty, apartment dwellers and owners, you get the idea. Fortunately, during my time with Spacesmith, I've had the pleasure of working on a few projects where children and their care givers were the clients. Specifically, these projects have ranged from playrooms to the children's section of a public library. Designing for children is a completely different mindset then designing for adults.

Spacesmith: Staten Island Family Justice Center with the New York City Department of Design + Construction

One difference is the durability of the design. When we design corporate/commercial projects, we consider how the space will be maintained. Can the fabric wall panel be repaired easily? Can the glass pane be replaced? Can a dented corner be repaired and repainted? However, when designing for children, especially the youngest ones, we must ask ourselves a different set of questions. Are there visible fasteners like screws/nails that can be loosened and choke or injure a child? Are there openings greater than 4" where their head can get caught in? Are there sharp corners we should protect? Are there materials with exposed edges that can be worn down/damaged over time? In addition, we have to anticipate if it's intended for infants who are learning to crawl/walk, which impacts floor finish materials.

Spacesmith: Midwood Branch Library with the New York City Department of Design + Construction

We also consider the maintenance of fabrics and materials. Can juice spills, cookie crumbs, or tough stains be easily cleaned, disinfected, and are they non-absorbent? If needed, can that fabric cushion be easily replaced?

For our Halletts Point Building 10 amenity spaces project, Spacesmith designed a children's playroom which included a wooden playhouse. It was split into two halves separated by a wide pathway down the middle. This opening was for several reasons – accessibility for parents/guardians with strollers, sightlines, and also for adults to step inside and separate fighting/crying children.

Designing for children also requires us to get down to a child's eye level and try to see things through their perspective. For the Building 10 playhouse, we located "windows" just a few inches above the floor to 2'. This may be low by adult standards, but perfect for seated children/crawling infants to poke their faces through. This playroom also has "trees" which encourages kids to enter the tree trunk and look through openings at different heights for various ages. An accessible restroom with changing table is located within the playroom, and space designated for stroller parking near the entrance. These are minor details, but as a parent, you will notice and appreciate it!

One method of keeping children entertained in these spaces is open-ended play, allowing for their vibrant imaginations to wander and create stories/games of their own. Ideally, we provide a general theme for the room or the space and encourage children to take that theme and run with it. For our Building 10 playroom, we established a jungle theme – wood panels are mountains and green banquettes are lush grassy fields. The rustic wooden playhouse in the middle of it all is…a rustic wooden playhouse. Or, is it a fort, a castle, or even a rocket ship!

Imagination Playground in Lower Manhattan is another example of designing for open-ended play by employing whimsical blue foam blocks. They can be connected to one another or played with separately, giving kids options without directions, encouraging them to dream up their own games.

Additionally, maximizing daylight, exterior views, and use of bright pops of colors are other strategies for consideration. Studies have shown these elements help stimulate and encourage neurological development. We always strive to bring diffused light inside our spaces and/or connect them with views outside where possible.

Finally, access control (while less flashy) is just as critical. You don't want children to wander off, nor do you want someone else to wander off with them. Therefore, clear sightlines and a single point of entry/exit with child proof locks will help keep everyone safe.

Designing for children is especially rewarding and it certainly keeps our work interesting!

Designing for Kids and Kids at Heart

© Spacesmith 2025