LULAC Head Start Inc. opened the doors of its Haven Street Center to serve its New Haven community in late January 2023. The Center resides in a former warehouse facility, a prefab- engineered metal building located at the cusp of the industrial zone, bordering a residential neighborhood in the heart of New Haven. The +/-14,000 sq. ft. raw exposed steel frame interior was reimagined and transformed into a two-story light filled early childhood education center to continue their mission.

The Center currently has the capacity for 96 children, ranging from infants to preschoolers. The interior of the building implements thoughtful wayfinding strategies, while also taking into consideration cost efficiency without compromises to functionality and productivity. With careful attention given to symmetry, adjacent classrooms share a well-equipped changing area and a dedicated food prep station for a seamless and efficient experience. Each classroom is adorned with its own unique accent walls, adding a touch of vibrancy and playfulness to inspire creativity and joy. The lobby, while functional and simply laid out, is sprinkled with bright accent colors and features that create a cheerful and inviting entry to LULAC’s newest center.

This once industrial volume served as a blank canvas for Sloan Architects to collaborate, create, and bring this organization’s ambitious vision into reality. With federal funding LULAC Head Start Inc. has been able to provide a delightful space designed to cater to early childhood education and foster family development with the various resources and support services offered within this fully metamorphosized building.