Early Childhood Learning Center
St. Martin's Episcopal School
St. Martin’s Early Childhood Learning Center was severely damaged by arson in July of 2017. The community united and committed to rebuild a brand new center that embraced the school’s student-centered curriculum.
The new center is designed to support active, hands-on learning, and to enhance the overall early learning experience. The open and connected STEAM Village is a stand-out design feature as it physically connects three areas – an art room, a tinker lab and a science lab. The science lab provides teachers a demonstration station, flexible “messy” learning areas for students and a hydro station for hands-on exploration.
Classrooms are equipped with large roller doors to the external play space, bridging the gap between outdoor and indoor learning spaces. Once outdoors, students are surrounded by a play space designed to enhance student connection, featuring natural materials and innovative elements that encourage explorative play and physical movement.
Noteworthy: Daylighting is prominent throughout and biophilic elements are seamlessly designed into the space to stimulate natural curiosity, creativity and expression.
![Early Learning Center Tinker Lab, maker space](https://502bb8.p3cdn2.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SM2-1920x1080.jpg)
![Texture wall in SMES early learning center in Atlanta GA](https://502bb8.p3cdn2.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SM4-1920x1080.jpg)
![SMES ELC playground and outdoor exploration space](https://502bb8.p3cdn2.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SM3-1920x1080.jpg)
![Breakout spaces are purposely positioned throughout the ELC](https://502bb8.p3cdn2.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SM6-1920x1080.jpg)
![Early learning classroom at SMES ELC](https://502bb8.p3cdn2.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SM7-1920x1080.jpg)
![](https://502bb8.p3cdn2.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SM8-1920x1080.jpg)
![](https://502bb8.p3cdn2.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SM5-1-1920x1080.jpg)