Project Description

As Principal-in-Charge at HED, the Architect of Record, John Dale led the programming and design of the child development and family training center for Families Forward Learning Center. Achieved through a close architect /client /developer /contractor collaboration, the project involved the conversion of a mid-century industrial building in the transitional neighborhood of Northeast Pasadena. The result is a model facility, both for 80 pre-school children and their parents. Classrooms are clustered around a flexible indoor play spaces that opens to an outdoor classrooms shaded by trees and canopies. Included are a social kitchen, classrooms and a career center for the parents. With sustainability as a major goal of the project, this is the first Child Development Center in the western US to be Gold LEED certified.

Awards and Recognition

• Learning By Design Citation of Excellence Award
• Education Award, The California Community Foundation
• AIA Committee on Architecture for Education Awards Citation
• AIA California Council, Energy Efficient Integration Citation
• AIA Pasadena Foothill Chapter Merit Award
• Pasadena Beautiful Foundation Honor Award
• Gold Crown Award, Pasadena Arts Council
• CEFPI Architectural Excellence Award