Lincoln Laboratory Childcare Center. mit

The Lincoln Laboratory Child Care Center’s key design goal was to incorporate hands-on learning at the core of its program. We worked closely with the Operations Team to create age-appropriate spaces that support the curriculum, facilitate a wide range of creative activities, and invite parent engagement. Design elements such as sliding panels and an operable garage door in a few of the spaces provide maximum flexibility for transforming larger, more public spaces into smaller, cozy spaces.

A sensory area, designed for small-group play and storytelling, is soft and welcoming. It has a wealth of tactile, visual, and other sensory opportunities, so teachers can “tune” the experience to provide different sensory environments for truly unique learning. A children’s library puts books front and center and make them easily accessible to children in a setting available to both children and parents on a “drop in” basis at the beginning and end of the day. Sliding panels on a curved track around the reading area can be closed off to create a more intimate space for small-group use during the day. An investigation zone is equipped to support a wide variety of STEAM activities and repurposes an operable industrial garage door to evoke the spirit of tinkering, exploration and invention that is a part of Lincoln Labs culture. Wooded area was maintained “as is” for nature play and building with natural loose parts.

The Lincoln Laboratory Child Care Center’s key design goal was to incorporate hands-on learning at the core of its program. studioMLA Architects worked closely with the Operations Team to create age-appropriate spaces that support the curriculum, facilitate a wide range of creative activities, and invite parent engagement. Nearly 4,000 SF of wooded area was maintained “as is” for nature play and a naturalized playground was constructed above an asphalt parking lot at the request of the owners. The team implemented stormwater management tactics to protect the local wetlands.

Services Provided

Architectural, interior design, and landscape design of indoor and outdoor environments; full design services from Programming through Construction Administration.

*Project completed as studioMLA Architects prior to acquisition by Ashley McGraw Architects