Computer Associates Early Childcare Center

Narratives

Architect Narrative

Both of the international publications, Computer World and Working Mother magazine, regularly rank this corporate giant one of the world’s largest producers of mainframe computer software, among the ‘100 Best Places to Work’ in the United States. To a great degree, these accolades are attributed to the vast amenities incorporated in the design of this international corporate campus. Strategically located amidst 1.1 million square feet of offices, research and development labs and training rooms, are high technology auditorium/theatres, virtual enterprise product testing area, an international food court, indoor fitness center, outdoor athletic facilities and a 53,000 square foot Child Development Center.

Housing one of the largest child development centers in the northeast, this high technology corporation created a Montessori-based child development center to care for and educate the children of its employees. By filling this societal gap for its staff, this company has taken on the responsibility of providing a culturally rich and stimulating environment for this important population.

1. What exemplary ideas does the design contain that enhance learning?
Montessori philosophy states that the way to build a successful society ‘is to meet the needs of the very young child in the most formative stages of development.’ They recognize the ‘vital importance of the role of parents and other adults in their daily interaction with infants and very young children’.

Adhering to the Montessori philosophy, the architect recognized that our most challenging and important task is to create safe and healthful environments which support the developing potential of each child. Accomplishing these criteria while maintaining a corporate culture can be contradictory in the minds of many corporate leaders. Quite the opposite here. Our client embraces the presence of the supervised child throughout its facility. Corridors are designed wide enough to accommodate child strollers with four children across. It is not unusual to exit a conference room and share the main corridor with these child-friendly vehicles. Internal security checkpoints are located throughout the building’s interior and architecturally noted via card access doorways and reception areas. Children are often walked throughout the facility’s exterior, as well, supervised by their teacher/caretaker. Primary accent colors play a vital role throughout the facility providing an almost child-like energy to one of the world’s most dynamic corporations.

2. What innovations in the planning, programming and design process supported the realization of those exemplary ideas?
Most innovative to the childcare center itself was the addition of a Natatorium, designed especially for the toddler group. Expressed in aluminum panels and glass on the exterior, the circular natatorium features two wading pools, one circular (two feet deep) and the other rectangular (four feet in depth) separated by safety rails. Playful skylights, one barrel-shaped, the other a cone, top the facility providing natural light and announcing its presence on the corporate site. Checkerboard floor tile patterns provide a visual separation, as well as safe, colorful flooring. Glass block and clear and frosted windowpanes allow light and privacy to share the space. Child-high peepholes allow visual access to the outside for the young swimmers. Shower facilities complete this brightly lit natatorium, scaled down to child size. It introduces water play and swimming at an early age and provides a great exercise and learning outlet in the midst of the day.

Establishing a childcare center within this corporate campus allowed these pre-school children to maintain contact with their parents throughout the working day. Located at the eastern end of the 1.1 million square foot facility, the childcare center has its own entrance, marked by a covered walkway, adjacent to a contemporary playground. Individual spaces within are designed to accommodate the needs of various age groups, with lighting throughout these spaces varied as well. There are rooms for napping with cribs and small beds available; there are classroom like settings for older children designed with color and durable materials. Bright open circular play areas provide for free form romping, carpeted for safety. Riding and climbing toys, walls with cutouts, and tabletop action abound here with vast open space to encourage exercise.