This master plan for We Care is a balance between protective, nurturing courtyard spaces that connect to the surrounding environment. The area of development is relatively small, for cost efficiency, and buildings primarily on already disturbed areas. This preserves as much open space as possible and creates opportunities for rural nature walks, agriculture and food production, and landscape restoration. Parking is consolidated to the east side of the site, where a single point of entry provides both clarity and safety.

All of the long, narrow buildings are elongated along the east/west axis, creating opportunities to use natural daylight and cross-ventilation. Envisioned as a combination of standard framing and straw bale construction, the buildings will feature high levels of insulation, careful shading, and high-efficiency mechanical systems for both low operating costs as well as occupant health. Gable roofs provide a rural feel and maximize potential for solar energy generation via roof-mounted photovoltaic panels and solar hot water collectors.

The classrooms are located at the southern edge of the site and face an adjacent lower courtyard, which features multiple age-appropriate play areas. A second, upper courtyard serves the offices and conference rooms to the north, and its trellised entry provides a soft and garden-like feel that is suitable for hosting a wide variety of events.

Just as the goal of We Care is to help each child reach his or her full potential, this master plan seeks to use the site to its best advantage while fully supporting not only the children and their parents, but also the staff and community at large. By investing in engaging outdoor spaces and comfortable, light-filled buildings with low operating costs, We Care will reach its potential for the next half-century and beyond.

Architectural services for this project were provided pro bono, per Public Architecture's 1% Program.

www.wecarechildren.org

www.theonepercent.org