Mary Graham Children’s Center

The Mary Graham Children’s Center provides temporary shelter for children before their placement in foster homes, satellite homes or treatment programs. Located on eight acres in a Central Valley farming community, the Children’s Center includes four cottages housing twelve children each, reception and intake building, children’s advocacy center, a school, visitor building, and an arts building, all planned around a central green space and outdoor recreational area. The Design Partnership made playful use of building shapes and elements and a cheerful palette to create a reassuring and friendly campus for the children.

The child-friendly secured campus design includes a central green space and play area surrounded by housing for 60 children in four cottages, facility administration and intake, child advocacy center, visitation building, multipurpose building, classroom building, library, and arts/storage building. The cottages are paired to allow swing beds between each pair, facilitating adjustment to changing census.

Location: French Camp, CA

Client: Human Services Agency for San Joaquin County

Size: 51,500 sq. ft.