Marygrove Early Education Center named for Dedalo Minosse International Prize – Regione del Veneto Special Prize

The Dedalo Minosse International Prize is a prestigious award dedicated to recognizing excellence in architecture and construction. Established in 1997 by the ALA-Assoarchitetti organization in Italy, the prize honors both architects and clients who collaborate to create innovative and impactful architectural projects. Named after the mythological figures Daedalus, the master craftsman, and Minos, the king who commissioned the labyrinth, the award emphasizes the importance of the client-architect relationship in achieving architectural excellence. Open to professionals worldwide, the Dedalo Minosse Prize celebrates projects that demonstrate creativity, sustainability, and a profound understanding of cultural and social contexts. It has become a significant platform for promoting architectural innovation and fostering dialogue within the global architectural community.

The Marygrove Early Education Center (Marygrove EEC) is home to the new early childhood education programs and support up to 150 students ages birth through five years of age. The student population is drawn from the local neighborhoods and is envisioned to reflect the diversity of the community. The Center’s program and design supports whole-child focus, with spaces to support physical, intellectual, and social development. Additionally, a Parent Lounge and family-focused resources will extend the Provider’s two-generation approach to the child’s family, working to empower the guardian along with the child.

The physical design of the Marygrove EEC reflects the aspirations set forth by the P-20 Partnership. Set just to the east of the Liberal Arts Building, a four-story Tudor Gothic structure built in 1927 and the flagship building on the Marygrove Campus, the new Marygrove EEC seeks to establish a condition of resonance between old and new. The new one-story structure is low in profile but establishes a signature profile that is both deferential as one approaches and bold upon arrival. Polychromatic facade panels compliment the material weight and heft of the Marygrove EEC’s neighbors and tie the building back to the many historic masonry facades of Detroit through a progressive 21st century application of a traditional building material. Colorful highlights are interspersed throughout the façade providing a second layer of articulation to the system. The cladding in affect provides a “coat of many colors” reflecting the vibrancy and energy of the young users and diverse community activities within the building.