CAW Architects was trusted with the design of James Lick High School’s Child Development Program located in San Jose, California.

Over the course of twelve years, CAW has worked on three significant projects at James Lick High School, all of which emphasize the removal of barriers to create spaces that increase social and academic interactions.

The first was the school’s Child Development Program, which ambitiously offers year-round subsidized childcare for the children of faculty, students, and the community. As it was becoming increasingly difficult to provide high-quality services at the existing outdated childcare facility, the district wanted a new facility at the edge of the campus that had its own identity and was separate from the high school. CAW oriented the new building to include a public entrance; play areas were relocated to behind the building and away from the busy street; and interior learning and play spaces were organized to be open to the outdoor play areas with large doors that allowed space to flow freely from inside to outside while providing a protective and insulated environment for the children.

Design: CAW Architects
Contractor: Ackerman-Practicon
Photography: courtesy of CAW Architects