At the South Shore YMCA’s Nature Center Preschool, children experience a connection to the natural world—rain or shine. LDa designed the new preschool building to embody this vision, creating classrooms that extend into their surroundings while preserving the property’s historic character.
Working with our engineering partners, we evaluated the site’s conservation and historic restrictions to determine the best location for the new building. The result is a nursery school with four classrooms for 80 preschoolers, designed with direct access to the expansive property, an integral part of the school’s curriculum.
Since the children spend time outdoors every day, the design centers on a spacious covered porch overlooking the activity field, used year-round by both the nursery school and the YMCA’s summer camp.
LDa developed a conceptual design for the center, envisioning an addition and renovation to expand classroom space, enhance exhibit areas, renew the greenhouse, and revitalize the surrounding landscape.
Architect LDa Architecture & Interiors
Structural Engineer Webb Structural Services
MEP/FP Consulting Engineering Services
Civil Engineer Meridian Associates, Inc.
Landscape Architect Meridian Associates, Inc.
Builder Acella Construction Corporation
Photography Marshall Dackert Photography