Caddo Child Care Center
Childcare Center, Hinton, OK
MASS and the Caddo Tribe developed a concept that highlights Caddo culture and its deep connection to the landscape. The design emphasizes health, safety, sustainability, and cultural identity. Energy-efficient systems minimize consumption, while low-carbon materials enhance environmental health and reflect Caddo values. The project is intended to foster play, interaction, and a strong sense of Native identity.
Serving infants through five-year-olds, the Child Care Center is organized into three sections aligned with the cardinal directions. The Care Bar is dedicated to infants, the Learn Bar serves children ages three to five, and the Move Bar houses a swimming pool and a FEMA-rated storm shelter that doubles as a gymnasium.
Classrooms in the Learn Bar feature movable partitions for flexible learning environments, while strategically placed windows provide children of all heights with views of the courtyard and surrounding natural landscapes. Both the Learn Bar and Care Bar are designed to maximize natural ventilation and incorporate clerestory windows for even lighting.Wide connecting corridors foster interaction and include quiet nooks where children can find solitude or work in small groups.
