Operation Breakthrough, Kansas City, MO
Due to engineering problems that were out of our control, the rooftop gardens
could not be built for this facility. We are back to the drawing board for
two play yards. We wish that the coordinating architect (not ours) could have
informed both us and the client prior to spending time and their precious
resources on a rooftop design that the contractor (not ours) later figured
out that it was not practical for the roof to hold the play gardens. This
is a good example of what happens in sequential design when members of a design
team are not working in a coordinated and logical fashion. Unfortunately this
is the way most design firms do operate, so child care center projects are
always difficult to get up and running with other architectural firms. The
good news is that we have agreed to donate some of our time to redesign the
preschool and school age yards. We will keep you informed as to our progress.
Burrows Family Play Garden, Little Falls, NY
Work is continuing on the play garden for the Burrows family in upstate New
York. We are working on a custom log play house that has a front porch, porch
swing, loft, workable windows, electricity and matching pretend furniture.
We are coordinating the design with a company that will make the log play
house look like the Burrows' family log home. The garden will also include
climbing poles, a tepee, a bubbling water feature, a bridge, jumping rocks,
hiding bushes, a maze, a log cabin building area and an infant toddler sensory
garden. This is our first play garden to be designed with parents for home
use. It is very exciting seeing their enthusiasm for naturalized play for
their children and relative children.
Loving Arms Daycare, Junction City, KS
Provided consultation to an existing child care center on possible expansion
into a different facility. This would include not only a building renovation,
but also a program expansion. Topics of discussion included writing a business
plan, writing policies and procedures, developing start-up and operational
budgets, market feasibility, procuring a loan and facility renovation. Time
was devoted to reviewing the existing business plan, reading operational policies
and evaluating budgets.