The theme of a bird’s nest harnesses the indigenous flora and fauna of the site and of Durham Region. The theme can be seen through natural colours and textures, while the exterior façade integrates Grandview Kids’ colours into an abstraction of a flowery meadow. The integration of art and wellness spaces celebrate the diverse backgrounds and perspectives shared by the building’s users and the community.
From a volumetric perspective, four main volumes can be distinguished— the care centre, the penthouse, the waiting areas and the school. The building massing cascades down towards the woodlot allowing for a blending of the construction and site to occur. Programmatic elements such as the family resource centre and the therapeutic spaces break the massing at pedestrian level, creating an animated human-scale experience and a maximized transparency connecting the indoor spaces with the outdoor landscape.
Adaptability is central to the design of all spaces through controls such as moveable furnishings, adjustable lighting, and window coverings to meet the needs of the child, but also family and staff members. The waiting areas, public spaces, and amenities take on home-like qualities to minimize the institutional feel. The structure of the facility utilizes a large regular grid that is adaptable for conversion of space and horizontal expansion.
