This project, the first commission from the Puerto Rican Family Institute, focuses on the rehabilitation of two existing buildings totaling approximately 10,325 square feet in Corozal, Puerto Rico. Situated on a 4.85-acre site in the La Mina sector of the Palmarejo ward, the concrete structures originally built as a vocational school had been abandoned for nearly two decades. The revitalized facilities will now serve as a Head Start school, with additional annex and storage space, bringing new life to the site and providing critical early childhood education services to the community.

The design integrates a series of strategies aimed at creating a modern, child-centered learning environment that engages with its natural surroundings. Classrooms and playgrounds are designed to maintain a continuous visual connection to the site’s ecological context, while low-level sightlines between classrooms foster interaction at a child’s eye level. Graphic wall treatments serve dual purposes as playful elements and educational tools, encouraging exploration and learning. Adapted public furniture meets the needs of children of varying ages, supporting both function and play. Sustainability is embedded throughout the project, from rainwater harvesting and permeable pavements to the reuse of materials from demolition. These passive design strategies, along with the educational mission of the facility, position the project to achieve LEED Gold Certification, reflecting a deep commitment to ecological responsibility and holistic learning.