Irving ISD Baby University
Project Stats
- Location
Irving, Texas
- Size
18,900 SF
- Market
- Expertise
Home-like haven fuels early growth
Baby University is an innovative initiative aimed at extending learning opportunities to infants and toddlers aged birth to three years old within the Irving Independent School District (ISD). Catering exclusively to district employees, the center offers childcare services, prenatal classes for expecting mothers, and early learning programs designed to support cognitive growth and development in young children.
To support these goals, the district asked Corgan to design a nurturing and home-like environment for its young occupants. With a gabled exterior and exposed structural wood interiors, the center exudes warmth and comfort. From the gentle flow of the infant rooms to the playful energy of toddler spaces —even the outdoor areas designed to spark curiosity and creativity — every element supports early development and encourages exploration, connection, and calm transitions. These aren’t just classrooms but thoughtfully designed environments that feel nurturing and full of wonder.
A welcoming aesthic for young learners
The district wanted Baby University to be a place that’s not only safe and functional, but also warm, familiar, and comforting — a true extension of home. Key features of the project include exposed wood structures and an activity room equipped with built-in dramatic play elements. Spanning 18,900 square feet, the center embodies a holistic approach to early childhood education, fostering a supportive and enriching environment for both children and their families within the district.
Nature served as a key inspiration for the interior design. Throughout the classrooms and shared spaces, the color palette includes calming blues and greens, with bright orange accents to bring in joy and energy. Inside the classrooms and activity room, the design team created a design with LVT flooring to act as “area rugs,” creating a designed place for gathering. In the corridor activity spaces, the team included a custom wall graphic that features over-sized flowers and grass blades with the district’s mascot —ladybugs — flying around among clouds and a sun.
Designed for development
The classrooms are separated into four age groups: young infant, older infant, young toddler, and older toddler. Every classroom has play areas that are curated to support developmental milestones at each age, from a climbing set and mirrored elements to develop gross motor skills and self-recognition in the young infant classroom to dramatic play areas in the toddler classrooms that enable imaginative, cooperative play.
All classrooms have direct access to one of the two courtyards – the infants’ classrooms are connected to infant courtyard, and the younger and older toddlers can access the central courtyard. Like the classrooms, the courtyards are planned for their respective age groups. The infant courtyard includes sensory and interactive play equipment that helps develop babies’ cognitive, social, and motor skills. The team also designed “funserts” imbedded in the turf for the babies to crawl on to help learn their ABCs and 123s.
The toddler courtyard has an array of interactive elements and play structures including naturistic concepts, playhouses to promote community interactions, and real-world active play components. Here, the team designed a blue turf river with a bridge, tree, and canoe inviting children into a playful, nature-inspired space that sparks imagination and storytelling. Playhouses and clubhouses give children their own little neighborhoods, sparking friendships, teamwork, and a sense of community. Additionally, to the north of the site there is a buggy trail that leads to a park-like setting, offering a calm retreat that nurtures relaxation and connections with nature.
Connecting little learners in big ways
The learning continues outside in the corridors and a spacious, centrally located activity room. Designed for the young and older toddlers, two corridor activity spaces are furnished with wall-mounted activity puzzles, custom foam ladybug domes, foam rockers for adults, and foam ducks for the students, as well as light tables in the older toddler area. These areas provide additional space for students to run and play when the activity space is occupied.
The activity room room features large dramatic play and active play products and several foam pieces for all students to climb, walk, and balance on. It also features a hearth with a seating nook inside, perfect for little readers looking for a quiet moment. The activity room can also be used for large gatherings when Baby University hosts events with its parents and teachers or a invites a magician, musician, or storyteller to perform for the students.
