This adaptive re‑use project reimagines a 22,000‑square‑foot, two‑story parking structure on North Street in Larchmont, New York, transforming it into a vibrant childcare and early‑development hub serving families across Westchester County. The design team partnered closely with the facility’s operators to create an environment where learning, play, and exploration are supported by a framework of safety, security, and inclusivity. Through adaptive re‑use, the design preserves the embodied energy of the original building while reimagining its spatial logic to support contemporary needs.

 

The center is organized around the idea that learning happens everywhere. Classrooms open into flexible play zones; circulation doubles as exploration space; and daylight, color, and material warmth guide children intuitively through the environment. Safety is embedded without feeling restrictive — clear sightlines, controlled access points, and age‑appropriate spatial thresholds create a secure foundation that still encourages autonomy and joyful discovery.

 

Working within the constraints of the existing garage footprint, the project strategically reorganizes two floor plates to maximize efficiency and daylight while introducing new vertical circulation and code‑compliant egress towers. The resulting program includes 16 classrooms, a commercial‑grade kitchen, indoor play zones, and a 2,600‑square‑foot “mini town” that encourages imaginative, child‑led learning. A rooftop playground crowns the building, offering safe outdoor space in an otherwise dense urban context.

 

Through thoughtful spatial planning and a commitment to community needs, the project demonstrates how underutilized urban structures can be transformed into nurturing, high‑impact social infrastructure. The center now stands as a model for adaptive re‑use that supports childhood development while strengthening the fabric of the surrounding community.