A Partially Constructed Commercial Building Transformed Into a Vibrant Public Preschool

Circular transformed a partially constructed commercial building into a vibrant public preschool, part of a city initiative to provide modern school facilities where they are most needed. The Corona 3K Center is located in one of the fastest-growing yet under-served areas in Corona, a neighborhood in the Queens borough of New York City. The area boasts a large population of newly arrived families with young children, where quality childcare is in high demand and suitable options are all-too limited.

Aerial view of a multi-story building with red, yellow, green, blue, and orange window frames next to an elevated train track.

The Roosevelt Avenue corner site is on a busy commercial corridor fronted by an elevated subway train and vehicular traffic, which presented several challenges for the architects. They were tasked with an overhaul of the existing structure, which was originally supposed to include a ground-floor retail space and an office on the upper level. “This building was actively under construction,” says Jordan Parnass, principal at Circular. “A big part of our responsibility was to quickly identify how we could change what the landlord had planned to do and turn it into a school.”

A modern building with a facade featuring red, yellow, and gray panels. People walk and bike past on the sidewalk. A tree and an elevated railway track are visible in the background.

A series of bright panels enlivens the re-designed facade, chosen to represent a progression along the color spectrum – and provide some respite from the surrounding gray streetscape. The same shades are repeated as stripes in the playroom, and again as accents in the individual classrooms.

A receptionist sits at a modern, curved wooden desk under a large circular ceiling light. The room features geometric patterned wall tiles and two closed doors.

A receptionist sits at a modern, white desk in a brightly decorated lobby area. Behind her, a hallway with colorful wall decor shows several people walking past red framed rooms.

A child in an orange shirt uses a water bottle filling station and drinking fountain against a colorful tiled wall with geometric patterns.

Patterned wall tiles with abstract geometric shapes including yellow squares, purple semicircles, striped gray rectangles, and orange zigzags in a repeating design.

A brightly lit school hallway with colorful geometric decorations, striped floor tiles, and open classroom doors. Two figures are standing and talking in the background.

The footprint was already built to the lot line and couldn’t be changed, so an interior layout was devised that allows for seven classrooms over two floors. By incorporating Passive House principles, the Circular team achieved considerable enhancements to sustainability. A mechanical system, for example, preconditions, dehumidifies, and filters fresh air. Triple-pane windows mitigate noise, while the wall and roof insulation boosts thermal performance. Every element ensures that children are comfortable in the education setting year-round.

Children playing with large colorful balls in a brightly lit, padded room with colorful walls.

A brightly lit classroom with yellow accents features small tables and chairs arranged for young children. A person is blurred in motion near a sink area. Artwork and toys are scattered on tables.

Spaces within meet a range of stringent health, durability. and functionality requirements, but the interiors are still inviting, with color playing a central role. Cheery primary tints are a staple in learning environments, but they can be overstimulating. At the center, sophisticated, low-saturation neutrals are a base. Custom geometric wall tiles are paired with natural wood to create warmth. A continuous trip of tackboards serves as linear galleries. Showcasing student artwork in the hallways, they are placed at an eye level perfect for toddlers and their parents.

A classroom with tables and chairs arranged neatly, educational toys and supplies on shelves, large windows providing natural light, and two people, one seated and one standing, engaged in activities.

Brightly lit classroom with several tables and chairs, children playing with toys, and a large screen displaying an underwater scene on the wall.

Brightly lit preschool classroom with tables, chairs, toys, a whiteboard, bookshelves, and a large digital screen displaying nature scenes. A child and an adult are present, engaging in activities.

Each classroom is identifiable by signature hues like red, orange, or yellow, found on doors, frames, accent floor tiles, and millwork. This color coding is ideal for preliterate youngsters, because it allows them to easily find a particular spot without signage or symbols. “This is a space for education, and it is appropriate for children and adults,” Parnass notes. “There’s an underlying sense of playfulness throughout, and it’s that essence that we wanted to celebrate.”

A man and child walk up a brightly lit staircase with yellow railings and white walls.

An accessible bathroom with gray tiled walls, a sink with a mirror, a wall-mounted toilet, handrails, and a patterned tile floor featuring gray, yellow, and blue squares.

Aerial view of a city neighborhood with a train track running through the middle, surrounded by residential and commercial buildings, trees, and cars on the streets.