Child Development Center

The non-profit group serves the state's largest county with children's development disability services via a staff of nearly one hundred who assist the developmental needs of children age birth to five. Needs dictated an addition that nearly tripled the facility size. A fundraising campaign ensued and private funds were raised for the fourteen classroom addition.

An entry serves to mediate the new from the existing and provides staff with views of all access doors for security. Each classroom is vibrant and contains unique child-sized way finding shapes and colors carefully mapped on the floors and walls while adjoining restrooms with toddler-sized fixtures allow staff to multitask. Large windows flood the classrooms with natural light and sills are lowered for a window seat and kid-height visual connection to the outdoors. Specialists observe child behavior behind a two-way mirror into each classroom without disruption.

The exterior is an arts and crafts style rendered in a modern way with a residential look and to provide human scale. Colors blend and earth tones advance the warm visual appeal. Playground equipment is carefully selected for both physical and mental developmental stimulation while fall-protection and needed accessibility were also addressed.

Letter of Reference from John Starnes

Location
Casper, Wyoming

Owner
Child Development Center
John Starnes, (former) Director
307-258-6403

Contractor
W.N. McMurry Construction Co.
(No Longer in Business)

Role
Architect of Record
Interior Design

Project Personnel
Lyle Murtha, Principal Architect

Scope
Addition
Renovation
Design-Build

Size
25,000 Square Feet Addition
16,500 Square Feet Renovation

Cost
$5.2 Million

Completed
2007