Frances Grice Cardinal Child Development Center

A net-zero energy, LEED Platinum–certified early childhood learning center

In California’s San Bernardino Valley, an early childhood learning center illustrates what’s possible when a community’s vision for its youngest students meets intentional architectural innovation. The 15,300-square-foot Frances Grice Cardinal Child Development Center is part of the state’s transitional kindergarten (TK) expansion effort — a bridge between preschool and kindergarten for 4-year-olds — and pairs high-performance design with nature-based learning. It also offers infant care and programming for those up to 5 years old.

Located on the San Bernardino High School campus, LPA drew inspiration from the site’s abundance of mature eucalyptus, cedar and pine trees. Two single-story wood-framed buildings, outdoor classrooms and play areas are connected by an undulating wood-and-steel canopy. Designed to mimic the feeling of walking through a forest, the structure winds around tree trunks and provides shade, helping to mitigate the extreme temperatures in San Bernardino. A pollinator garden, outdoor dining patio, drought-tolerant plantings, exposed rainwater collection system and age-appropriate play equipment facilitate discovery and exploration. Research suggests that children — especially those ages 3 to 5 — benefit from direct exposure to nature, which has been found to increase focus, reduce stress and inspire new problem-solving skills, among other benefits.

Inclusive stakeholder engagement also led to the development of multipurpose spaces at the front of the school, available to the community after hours.

Inside classrooms, framing is left exposed, creating a tactile environment and allowing students to see the wood’s lifecycle, from garden to tree to building material. Bookcases, writable surfaces and storage are placed at child level, while an interactive wall with various curved nooks offers a place for “risky play” — a concept in early childhood development that encourages children to test their physical limits and build confidence.

Just as the center’s form pays homage to its site, several sustainability strategies minimize environmental impact. LPA utilized thermally modified natural wood cladding and ultra-low-carbon concrete. Bioswales treat runoff, sliding doors capture prevailing winds for natural ventilation and rooftop photovoltaic panels provide on-site renewable energy. The project achieves LEED Platinum certification, the highest certification awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council for sustainable design and construction.

Serving students from diverse and low-income backgrounds, the Center demonstrates how learning environments can reflect and uplift their communities, while stewarding a lifelong relationship with nature.