The Infinity Early Childhood Development Center will provide free, specialized child-care in a waterfront facility designed for children with developmental delays. The proposed building is designed to be inclusive and accessible with expansive views to the surrounding water, creating a supportive and nurturing environment where young children will receive tailored interventions focusing on enhancing their cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development.
Located in the isolated, under-served NYC community of Gerritsen Beach, the Infinity Center aims to reduce disparities in educational outcomes for disabled children from low-income families and marginalized communities. This proposed 3 story, 3,700sf building will contain 3 specialized classrooms for 20 special-needs children with adaptive technologies integrating therapeutic services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
The Infinity Center’s irregular shape optimizes the substantial programmatic requirements for special needs children on the small site, while accommodating the challenging zoning and code requirements due to the site’s location within NYC’s ‘Waterfront Revitalization Zone’, and ‘Coastal Risk Special District .’ Located within a commercial zone, the project is adjacent to a contextual low density residential neighborhood on two sides and a marina on the other, presenting unique design challenges and opportunities.
The small, triangular 1,753 sf vacant site is located in a flood zone on the Brooklyn waterfront. The flood zone requires special “dry” flood-proof construction on the building’s lower 14ft and limits what can be located below this level. To ensure resiliency in a high-risk flood zone, all utilities mechanical equipment, and life-safety systems must be installed in a rooftop mechanical room. The facade will utilize specialized solar cladding on the opaque portions to generate electricity, while the glazing will use coated, ultra-high efficiency glass to maximize waterfront views and daylight in the small building.
The Infinity Center’s goal is to integrate children with disabilities alongside their peers to assist in their social development and empower children to reach their full potential and smoothly transition into mainstream (or other suitable) education.