Pencil Projects

Anna & Jack’s Treehouse Daycare & Playplace | Child-Focused Architecture in Larchmont, NY

Adaptive Reuse | Community-Focused Design

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Anna & Jack’s Treehouse Daycare & Playplace is a transformative adaptive reuse project that reimagines an existing structure into a vibrant, state-of-the-art environment for early childhood development, imaginative play, and family support. Pencil Projects Architecture Studio partnered with the client to create more than a daycare—designing a community-centered destination where children can explore, families can connect, and care is delivered with dignity, safety, and joy. Rooted in a vision of nurturing growth through design, the project blends operational efficiency with a playful, immersive spatial experience.

 

Design Vision

The project is driven by a simple but powerful idea:
create a world where children feel safe, inspired, and free to imagine.

Spaces are designed as layered environments—balancing structure and discovery—where circulation becomes intuitive, supervision is seamless, and every corner offers an opportunity for engagement.

The result is an “out-of-the-box” playplace integrated within a high-performance daycare facility.

 

Key Design Moves

• Clear Zoning Strategy
  Public, semi-private, and secure childcare zones are carefully organized to support safety, operational clarity, and ease of use.
   

• Intuitive Circulation
  Circulation paths are simplified and legible, allowing staff to efficiently supervise while children move naturally through the space.
   

• Integrated Play Environments
  Play is embedded into the architecture—transforming corridors, nodes, and rooms into moments of exploration and imagination.
   

• Vertical Connectivity Upgrade
  New elevator and stair towers provide safe, code-compliant access while unlocking the full potential of the building.
   

• Rooftop Playground Activation
  A previously underutilized roof is reimagined as a secure outdoor play environment—expanding usable space in a dense context.
   

 

Challenges & Solutions

Vertical Circulation Constraints
The existing building lacked the infrastructure to safely and efficiently move children and staff between levels.

→ Solution:
The introduction of a new elevator and dedicated stair towers ensures accessibility, safety, and operational flow.

 

Limited Outdoor Space
Urban site constraints restricted access to traditional ground-level play areas.

→ Solution:
A rooftop playground was designed as a safe, engaging outdoor extension of the program—maximizing site potential while maintaining strict safety standards.

 

Material & Atmosphere Strategy

Material selections were guided by a balance of durability, safety, and emotional comfort.

• Warm, tactile finishes create a welcoming and non-institutional feel

• Durable, easy-to-clean surfaces support long-term maintenance

• Soft tones and controlled visibility reinforce privacy and security

• Layered textures and colors subtly stimulate engagement without overwhelming
   

The environment is intentionally calming, supportive, and child-centered.

 

Community Impact

This project extends far beyond its physical footprint.

• Increased childcare capacity to serve more local families

• Creation of new jobs supporting the local economy

• A trusted community hub for connection, care, and support

• Enhanced access to high-quality early childhood environments
   

Anna & Jack’s Treehouse stands as a model for how adaptive reuse can directly strengthen community infrastructure.

 

Studio Perspective

At Pencil Projects, we believe architecture has the power to shape not just spaces—but lives.

This project reflects our commitment to designing environments that are functional, joyful, and deeply human-centered. By aligning technical precision with empathy and imagination, we created a space where children can thrive and families feel supported every day.