San Juan, Puerto Rico (2012)
This project is an adaptive reuse of an abandoned commercial plant nursery. Located on a busy corner in Cupey, the original building was a basic heavy timber post and beam structure. Since the existing structure was in good condition, had the charm of natural materials, and was a landmark of sorts, it was decided that adapting the existing building to the new use was appropriate.
Heavy timber met the requirements of life/safety concerns, and so it was used for the additional structure incorporating the existing column spacing and sizing. A sandwich of factory painted corrugated metal, wood studs, and gypsum wallboard made up the new skin used to enclose the structure for the day preschool program.
The school includes classrooms, a music room, a reading room, a parent’s room, a gym, lunchroom, kitchen, and offices.