As an architect, I worked on several early childhood education projects. I loved learning about child development, early education curricula, learning through play, and children’s small scale. I also recall learning from a client that:
kids are goats – “children” is the preferred nomenclature
I’ve been a dad for 8 ½” years and I know why children are sometimes called kids (goats) – because they sometimes do goat-like things: they chew on furniture, climb on counters, wipe grimy hands on the nearest object, and will reliably spill even the smallest cup of milk. Unlike goats, children also love to paint, and draw and do science projects (which is admittedly more cerebral, but still super messy.) Our products are designed with kids in mind. More importantly, our products are designed with parents’ aspiration for a clean house in mind. Our Tectonic Furniture and Tectonic Toys can be spilled on, tipped over, taken apart, or used sideways. Each piece is designed to be durable and long lasting, but also intended to be attractive, and outlast the kids being in the house.
Tectonic Toys appeal to kids, but just as importantly, they are meant to appeal to adults – and are intended to be left out in your living room. In other words, our toys are meant to be a handsome alternative to junky, cluttery toys that constantly need to be ushered out of sight. My kids have proven that our wooden Tectonic Toys are virtually unbreakable, and that adding scuff marks only adds to the toys’ patina. As an obsessively organized parent, I’ve found that these toys mitigate clutter.
We also design kid specific furniture: namely our Upend Chair, which is just as wipe-able, durable, and architectural as our adult furniture. It can also be inverted to accommodate your child as he/she grows to the next size. It is available in two sizes: the small chair has a 5” high seat (for old infants/young toddlers), or 8” high seat (for older toddlers). The chair is also available in a larger size which can accommodate 3 year-olds, or kindergartners. The chair is stable, durable, stack-able, and doubles as a saddle or rocket ship.
Modernism comes in many expressions; but to me it is about clarity of function, exclusion of decoration, and clean lines. However, clean lines don’t need to be confused with clean hands –nor does modern design need to preclude having kids. You can live a modern life with modern furniture and messy kids. Keep your kitchen clean (and full of clean lines) by using modern furniture that has enhanced durability and non-porous surfaces.
