José Martí Early Learning Center

TOMORROW’S LEADERS

BUILDING CULTURAL CONNECTIONS

• ROLE:

  [Tenant Improvment Architect]

• LOCATION:

  [Seattle, Washington]

• CLIENT:

  [El Centro de la Raza]

• SIZE:

  [9,960 GSF]

• LINKS:

  [Jose Marti Child Development Center]

The José Martí Child Development Center represents a groundbreaking approach to early childhood education, serving children ages 15 months to 5 years old through a bilingual, bicultural curriculum that emphasizes cultural diversity, social justice, and family involvement. Founded in 1972 alongside El Centro de la Raza, this community-based program develops children's self-awareness, cultural pride, and self-esteem while providing comprehensive age-appropriate developmental activities across cognitive, social/emotional, physical, and language domains to ensure kindergarten readiness.

This project meets all Seattle childcare licensing requirements. The ground floor layout provides the required square footage per child with proper separation between age groups, while playground areas feature required safety surfaces and secure fencing. Indoor spaces include mandated emergency exits, child-accessible bathrooms, and proper supervision sight-lines. The commercial kitchen complies with health department standards. Ventilation and temperature requirements are met, creating a facility that balances regulatory compliance with a culturally responsive environment for El Centro’s community-focused programming.

Creating an educational environment where social change and community activism are woven into the foundation of early childhood learning.

• Purpose-built ground floor facility in Beacon Hill designed specifically to support bilingual early learning programs

• Thoughtfully planned classrooms optimized for diverse learning styles and cultural programming

• Dedicated staff spaces to support collaborative teaching and program development

• Commercial kitchen enabling nutrition education and culturally relevant meal programs

• Dual playground areas providing varied outdoor learning and play opportunities

• Integrated design supporting El Centro de la Raza's mission of community engagement and social justice education

• Collaborative design process ensuring the facility effectively serves both educational goals and broader community activism work

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