The new Child Care Center at Lehman College is a special built. The 12,000 square foot center was designed by Brooklyn-based Garrison Architects and built by Axis Construction. The Center was assembled from 22 prefabricated modules—each weighing 18 tons—and hoisted into place with a 600-ton crane. The steel-and-concrete modules were built in an enclosed facility in Ephrata, Pa., which kept them largely immune to the weather and normal production delays associated with the traditional construction process.

These photos were taken from three separate occasions:

• June 20, 2012, when the foundation was being laid;
• September 26, 2012, when the modules were being put onto campus grounds;
• today, when Lehman was celebrating the opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Construction crew works on preparing the grounds for the modules.

Modules are dropped one at a time as crew unwraps and prepares for the next module.

Crew secures the modules as they are being put in place.

The modules that were built off site not only include structural frames and windows, but also a staircase and exit signs.

Hoisted by a 600-ton crane, a module goes from the parking lot, over Goulden Avenue, to the construction site.

From left to right: Lehman Vice President of Student Affairs José Magdaleno; New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera; CUNY Vice Chancellor for Facilities Planning, Construction and Management Iris Weinshall; Lehman President Ricardo R. Fernández; CUNY Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Frank D. Sanchez; Regional Manager for the New York State Office of Children and Family Services Patricia Lewis; Lehman Executive Director of the Child Care Center Dawn Barton; CUNY University Director of Child Care & Woman Centers Betty Pearsall; and Lehman student Deisy Seeman.

The interior has a vibrant and clean design.

The dolls reflects the diversity of the children in the center.