Located on a partiially-wooded site constrained by wetlands, the new early learning center and natural preschoool for the Machinist’s institute merges two seemingly disparate impulses: kids’ affinity for nature and their desire to mimic their parents who, in this case, build very big planes for Boeing at nearby Paine Field.

Collaborating with Urbal Architects, MxM’s vision for the site creates a series of rooms carefully calibrated to the developmental needs of different age groups. Depending on where the rooms are located, they either turn up or turn down the volume on the forest and aviation themes creating a new play experience each time a child matriculates.

The Runway is for the youngest children with a focus on rolling, scooting, sliding. Next, the Workshop offers exciting gross motor skill challenges and broad manipulation of various loose play elements for kids aged 2-5. Supporting the nature-based preschool, two spaces—The Garden and The Forest—offer kids an incredible opportunity to get close to the natural world, while still discovering opportunities for play,.