Bloomfield Hills, Mich., May 24, 2017 — A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Tuesday, May 17th for a new 39,000 square foot early childhood center to serve the Port Huron Schools community. TMP Architecture is providing architectural services for the $10.5 million project, which is scheduled for completion in time for the 2018-2019 school year.
The new center was one of the significant projects presented to voters in the $105.9 million bond that was approved in August. The building is designed to accommodate 400 children and will house preschool programs for the district. The facility will be connected to the McKinley Administration Building by a new secure entrance vestibule.
After a series of interactive visioning sessions with community and district representatives, the design theme of the new center evolved into a “home away from home” for students. A major program goal is to allow parents space to walk their child directly into the school, with areas to interact with teachers, other parents and administrators. Various porch entry points help break down the scale of the school and give identities to each age group and classroom.
The new center features 18 learning studios that are designed to be open, stimulating and flexible. The environments are accented with color and plenty of natural light. A main circulation spine includes three major intersections that denote class “neighborhoods,” a gross motor development center, and a family-style dining center. Collaboration areas, outdoor gross motor skills areas, and infant/toddler rooms are also part of the design.