Infant Crisis Services

Due to Infant Crisis Service’s continuous growth, the client needed a systematic space that would accommodate the volume of families that visited the facility daily. The architectural objective was to integrate the client’s want of a residential concept with the client’s need for an efficient, business oriented office. The residential concept is incorporated throughout the entire facility and represented through the use of such materials as artificial stone veneer, artificial slate roofing and cedar soffits at the main entry. Sustainable materials like quartz solid surface and terrazzo flooring were also selected based on life expectancy and low maintenance cost. Within the facility, the spatial layout focuses on the separation of office/volunteer operation and service areas accommodating the families. There is a smooth transition from public to private space that effectively works with the employees and visitors. The plan also incorporates versatility for possible functions and events that require additional space. A consistent barn-yard theme has been integrated all through the facility and sets the relaxed tone of the environment. The theme is most dominating in the play area where families receive consultation and services while their child plays. A high pitched roof creates an open, inviting space that features a mammoth size, rotating and hanging animal mobile designed by local artists. Additional local artwork, from paintings to sculptures, can be seen all throughout and around the facility. *Infant Crisis Services is a non-profit organization that has had the opportunity to expand through a generous grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. This grant allowed ICS to build a new facility to accommodate services for babies and toddlers starting life in dire situations. The organization provides education, emotional support and guidance to parents seeking help in self-sufficiency. Since its inception in 1984, ICS has provided food, diapers, clothing and hope for more than 110,000 low-income babies, toddlers, and their parents.