Harvard Yard Modular Child Care Center

Green Modular Daycare Building Delivered in Just Six Weeks at Harvard

Triumph Modular designed and installed a 5,700-square-foot green modular daycare building for Harvard University in only six weeks. Located on the historic campus in Cambridge, MA, the structure was created as a temporary home for the Harvard Yard Child Care Center and, later, the Oxford Street Daycare Cooperative during renovations of their permanent spaces.

This high-performance modular school building features sustainable elements throughout to create a safe, healthy environment for children and staff. Green design features include solar tube skylights for natural daylighting, GREENGUARD-certified insulation, and a white reflective roof to reduce solar heat gain. A smart HVAC system brings in fresh air as needed, and lighting sensors automatically shut off fixtures in unoccupied spaces to conserve energy.

Interior finishes include recycled materials for carpet tiles and wall surfaces, while exterior sunshades reduce glare and cooling loads. The building is designed to be fully relocatable and has a 50-year lifespan, enabling future reuse as part of Harvard’s sustainability strategy.

Architect Mark Anderson of Anderson and Anderson noted: “When you walk inside, there is an immediate sense that this is a healthy environment. That’s a good comfort for parents and staff.”

Once renovations are complete, the green modular daycare building will be moved to serve another function, demonstrating the flexibility and environmental benefits of modular construction on a university campus.