Concord Children's Center
Concord, MA
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Concord Children's Center |
Concord, MA
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The Concord Children's Center offers itself as an integral and energizing element to the community. The building resembles a row of cottage playhouses, each classroom marked with a gabled roof and large bay windows to echo the vernacular residential architecture. Extensive glazing reinforces the center's open relationship with the greater community. A small cupola, referencing Harvey Wheeler's historic clock tower and the steeple of a neighboring Church, channels soft natural light into the building's heart. The playground and building sit in a bowl suitable for concerts and other community related events. This public space extends through an expanse of glass doors into the large multi-purpose room.
The building's residential character retains a familiar scale to ease the transition out of the home and foster the children's sense of well-being and comfort. Small foyers lined with cubbies perpetuate ownership and individuality of each classroom. Low sitting windows increase an awareness of the outside world with accessible views to the street, neighborhood, and surrounding foliage. Glass paneled interior doors visually connect neighboring classrooms and circulation space to increase the internal sense of community. |  |
 "We are elated that you designed a building that reflects who we are and what we do. Our rewards show up in the faces of each and every child...Thank you, again, from the bottom of our hearts." --Jerry Wedge, Building Committee Chair |
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