Hopkinton, MA – Ebbrell Architecture + Design announced it was chosen by Kidsborough owner and founder, Christeen Rohwer, for the renovation and expansion of her Hopkinton after-school program space, and the addition of day care and preschool services for her staff.
The project consisted of converting an existing 7,150sf two-level aftercare space into daycare and preschool classrooms and support spaces, and fitting-out the newly leased 4,200sf loft on the third floor for the after-school program.
Kidsborough
Lauren Foley, NCIDQ, LEED GA, interior designer at Ebbrell, led the project design. “We focused on what millennial parents are interested in seeing and incorporated that with the client’s new brand colors to create a whimsical, state-of-the-art educational space,” said Foley.
The larger two-level former after-school space was gutted to create an infant room, toddler rooms and preschool rooms, along with restrooms and age-appropriate gross motor and imaginary play spaces. The colors and graphics of the new brand are reflected throughout the space in painted murals, colorful furniture, and architectural accents. The third-floor loft became the new after-school program space and includes both open play and quiet study areas, a new pantry, storage, and restrooms.
Rubber flooring was used, which provided a sustainable solution to vinyl, and roads and crosswalks were created in main circulation spaces to simultaneously add whimsy and order to the floor plan. With limited natural lighting, Foley specified dimmable LED lighting on the first floor to create a brighter space with user controls for lower lighting for nap time. Globe fixtures on the second floor and in the stairwells are custom-colored to accent the brand.
Foley noted that maintaining the architectural integrity of the old mill space was important. “We refinished the wood floors and columns, painted the new HVAC white and used LED lighting to highlight the existing wood beams, but still wanted elements of playfulness and color, which you see in the furniture, perimeter columns and lockers,” she said. Working with Ember Creative, the team designated areas for new environmental graphics including painted custom murals.
Other design elements include acoustic panels shaped like houses that absorb sound, custom millwork house seating niches that anchor the open play space, and chalkboard walls designed to allow for creativity and personalization.
The project was built out by VBA Construction Management with engineering by RMF.
