Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/design-collaborations-successes-and-failures-in-developing-a-child-care-center-design/5013640/
The influence of the environment for staff and children in early childhood programs is powerful. Thoughtful design of the facility enhances safety, effectiveness, and high quality programming and helps reduce annual maintenance to high use areas. Over the past five years, Mulberry Child Care has opened over 30 new centers. These center openings are the result of new building developments or significant renovation to the interior of existing sites. In each of these new centers, Mulberry has collaborated with the Boston architectural firm of Silverman Trykowski Associates (STA) to create an environment that is effective, efficient, and affordable. Features and designs are developed to meet two goals. The first is to develop an environment that offers the staff and children a pleasant, safe, and efficient space. The second is a design and finish that considers durability yet can be installed and maintained at reasonable expense.Our design process has been an evolutionary one, with continual refinement to plans as problems are identified and solutions are tested. With ongoing input from management, staff, and parents, our design elements are modified. The following are solutions we have worked on in the areas of maintenance, safety, program, and image.
Maintenance
Improving the long-term maintenance characteristics of a ...