Clogher Valley Community Center
By preserving a historic site and creating a welcoming campus for learning, play, and gathering, the project demonstrates how thoughtful design can strengthen communities while supporting the next generation of learners.Ashley McGraw Architects was engaged by Early Years, Northern Ireland’s national organization for child care and out-of-school-time programs, to design a Model Community and Early Education Center that would elevate the quality of early childhood environments and serve as a catalyst for cross-community cooperation in a historically divided region.
Ashley McGraw provided comprehensive services from programming through construction documents, collaborating closely with Early Years to develop a vision that is both educationally innovative and socially transformative. Located on a site that incorporates a former Irish workhouse, the project preserves this important piece of history while introducing a thoughtfully designed addition to create a cohesive and inspiring campus.
The 17,668-square-foot facility reflects Reggio-Emilia–inspired principles, supporting child-led learning, strong connections to nature, and flexible, open-ended environments. Carefully integrated indoor and outdoor spaces support play, gardening, and community gatherings, while a dedicated suite of shared-use community spaces encourages interaction and collaboration across cultural and religious lines.
As one of the few educational initiatives in Northern Ireland that is not “single-identity,” this center stands as a powerful model for inclusive education and community-building, offering both a high-quality learning environment and a vision for peace and shared future.
Client
Early Years
Location
Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Services
Architecture, Renovation, New Construction, and Landscape Architecture
Size
17,668 sq ft
