The ISI Caring Center lost its home and sponsor unexpectedly and their long established child care program was in jeopardy. Committed to saving the program that helped nurture their children, the parents formed a non-profit corporation to carry on what had become a tradition of excellent child care. Friday was selected as its architect in January, 1991. Our first task was to help evaluate alternative sites. A prominent .38 acre site in West Philadelphia was acquired in March of ‘91, a fast-track construction contract awarded, and design begun to complete the 165 child facility by the end of the year. Fittingly, it was nine months from conception to birth.
Features of the 14,000 sf, two-story building include program space for infants through pre-schoolers, a full service kitchen, elevator, two-story skylit lobby, large play/meeting room with a spectacular view of the Art Museum and the Center City skyline, and a playful building envelope that signals the presence and underlying intent of the Center.