BC Family Courthouse Project

While our typical spaces focus on children facing serious illnesses, our Community Room projects look at healing more broadly. For this project, in the Broome County Family Courthouse childcare center, the focus was on mental health. Children who spend time in this space often experience a lot of stress, so we created an environment that is welcoming, calming, and gives them a place to decompress.

In the large room, we brightened the space with rainbow, sun, and cloud wall decals. We added sensory wall panels, along with a light cube that provides a calming sensory experience and can also be used with the existing Magna-Tiles. A large foam puzzle cube gives children a flexible piece they can arrange in different ways and turn into imaginative play elements.

The smaller space was designed as a calming area. We chose an underwater theme because it feels peaceful and relaxing. A cover over the fluorescent light immediately made the room feel softer and more welcoming. With the lights off, an ocean light projector shines on the walls and ceiling, making the space feel like you are under the sea. We added a bubble tube, which is always a favorite sensory item, and included an accessible controller so children can change the color or speed on their own.

A modular play couch adds opportunities for creativity and imaginative play, while wall decals help complete the under-the-sea feeling. Added storage helps keep the space organized.

For older children, we added a storage piece for board games and art supplies, along with a tranquility cube reading nook. This cozy spot gives children who want a little more privacy a place to climb in, read a book, and feel more secluded.

We hope these added elements bring comfort to the children who spend time in this space and give them a place to step away from the stress of being in a courthouse.

Many thanks to Kathy Macri, Joe Wiegand, Christina Olevano, Hina Tahir, and the teams from Skies The Limit and the BC Courthouse!