The Sheltering Arms Harlem Hub houses two distinct but related programs; the foster care spaces where children can have supervised time with their birth-parents, and the administrative space that supports the foster families and children in the programs.
The design sought to use a combination of daylighting, color theory, and intimate formal moves to create a place of comfort and calm for the children using the space. Specifically, small nooks and benches that create little storefronts for each observation room allow for transitional play and contact spaces for the children to experience. These spaces are infused with colors drawn from color theory that speak to reinforcing calmness, creativity, and openness.
Diversity of space, access to daylight, and ambient color environments are used to create a safe space for children, parents, and case workers to interact
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As architects, educators and