Dorothy B. Hersh Children's Pavilion
Edison, NJ

The Dorothy B. Hersh Children's Pavilion was designed as a 7,800 s.f. adjunct to the existing Lakeview School, which is operated by the Cerebral Palsy Association of Middlesex County. DRG created a landscape courtyard and connecting corridors so that the two buildings would be separated yet easily accessible to each other.

The Children's Pavilion was designed to complement the architecture of the Lakeview School yet stand alone as a distinct entity befitting its function to serve kids with special needs. The Pavilion's infant and early childhood program provide evaluation and social assistance as well as a range of therapy programs.

Site constraints included a strict building set-back line. The resulting building configuration provided the designers with an opportunity to enhance the use of natural light. The design vocabulary, while similar in material and detailing to the Lakeview School, is scaled down to reflect the young age of the users and provide a variety of stimuli through the use of changing shapes and colors. Therapy and program rooms allow for visual and direct access to the exterior park.