Early Childhood Education Center

Location: Detroit, MI
Status: In progress

The Healthy Communities ECE is a 16,000 SF ground-up new development designed to serve 100 -140 children in 9 classrooms, as well as support additional community programming. Located near the Cody Rouge / Warrendale neighborhoods, the project is intended to provide a financially sustainable and replicable model for communities in need.

At the heart of the project is an open courtyard containing a central outdoor play area which connects to the main lobby as well as the infant and toddler classrooms. A second outdoor play area for preschoolers sits to the south of the building. As a result, all classrooms have direct access to outdoor play and ample natural light. Views to the outdoors also guide the main circulation paths, creating an inviting and light-filled facility. Covered outdoor galleries and screen walls create opportunities for outdoor play in inclement weather, and help reduce heat gain in south-facing classrooms. A gross motor room opens to the main lobby and is designed to host community events. The facility also houses resource areas for parents and caregivers, as part of a strategy to provide comprehensive support for families. The site design creates a series of neighborhood connections, including integrating a bike path as part of the City of Detroit’s Strategic Neighborhood Fund planning efforts.