Houston, Texas
40,000 sf
Pre-school and teacher training center
Designed to resemble a walk-in toy box
Created an environment optimal for learning
Scaled specifically to accommodate 4-year-olds
Classroom and administration space
Learning resource center, cafeteria, playground






After a successful bond election in 2002, a local school district implemented a $30-million first ever pre-k program throughout the district. Phase I of this program includes the first four of 10 proposed centers. The South and East sites completed in 2004, and the West and North district sites were complete for the 2005 school year.
The Ninfa Laurenzo Early Childhood Center’s compact, 1-acre campus hosts a 40,000-sf, 2-story building accommodating 200 children and a teacher training center. In addition to classroom space, the facility is equipped with a learning resource center, cafeteria, and all of the necessary administration space. The pre-school is designed to resemble a walk-in toy box, with large windows in the 20 classrooms and skylights in the corridors to provide natural lighting and emphasize the bright playfulness. In addition to the decor of bright colors and geometric designs, the entire center is scaled specifically to accommodate four-year-old children.
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Phase I of this program includes the first four of 10 proposed centers. The South and East sites completed in 2004, and the West and North district sites were complete for the 2005 school year.</p> <p><br /> The Ninfa Laurenzo Early Childhood Center’s compact, 1-acre campus hosts a 40,000-sf, 2-story building accommodating 200 children and a teacher training center. In addition to classroom space, the facility is equipped with a learning resource center, cafeteria, and all of the necessary administration space. The pre-school is designed to resemble a walk-in toy box, with large windows in the 20 classrooms and skylights in the corridors to provide natural lighting and emphasize the bright playfulness. 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