Tucker Sadler Noble Castro Architects has been awarded the design contract for the approximately $1.5 million, 11,400-square-foot remodel and expansion of the nursery for the Polinsky Children's Center located at 9400 Ruffin Court in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego.

Tucker Sadler Noble Castro Architects was retained for the new nursery project by the county of San Diego, with Mikal Nicholls, project manager for the Department of General Services, providing oversight. Construction is scheduled to begin in September.

Polinksy Children's Center serves as an emergency shelter for 5,000 abused, abandoned and neglected children each year in San Diego County. The center, which opened in October 1994, was named in honor of benefactors Jessie and Abraham Polinsky.

Designed to house a maximum of 155 children, the center has accommodated up to 217 children a night. Children stay an average of 10 to 12 days while they wait to be placed with relatives or in foster care. San Diego County staffs and manages the center 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Project work entails relocating the center's nursery to a single-story building situated on the 10-acre, park-like campus, and expanding the facility to comprise approximately 6,000 square feet that will accommodate the new nursery. A large outdoor play area will help to create a child-friendly environment.

Tucker Sadler Noble Castro Architects is providing full architectural services, including planning, programming, architectural and schematic design and construction documents.

Robert Noble and Mark Manske are the principals-in-charge for Tucker Sadler Noble Castro Architects, with Roger Hill as senior project designer. Aesthetics Inc. is providing interior design services.