Set in the heart of the downtown campus of the University of Toronto, the Early Learning Centre explores the relationship between space and early childhood development. The building is comprised of interlocking folds and volumes that create a wide range of spatial conditions and details that encourage explorative play and learning. Every surface of the compact site reads as a continuous folding plane, including a ramp that links two playroom floors and the roof terraces that form outdoor play spaces on multiple levels. A strong relationship with the natural environment is reinforced with the use of sustainable materials in a tree house-like setting.