20 High-Profile Focus: Restoration and Renovation
February 2026
Kaplan Completes Interior Renovations for Horizons for Homeless Children
Horizons for Homeless Children classroom featuring custom millwork, interactive cubbies, and column“ trees.” / Photos by Rosemary Fletcher
Boston – Kaplan Construction announced the completion of interior renovations at Horizons for Homeless Children’ s headquarters. Following Kaplan’ s delivery of Horizons’ headquarters in 2021, the latest project transformed previously unfinished core-and-shell space on the third floor to accommodate the nonprofit’ s expanding staff and programming needs.
The scope of work included a newly renovated intake room designed to welcome new families, an open-concept gross motor sensory room for specialized play, and two new classrooms with dedicated children’ s bathrooms. Kaplan also reconfigured and upgraded existing office areas on the second and third floors to increase desk capacity. Playful architectural detailing was incorporated into the classrooms, where existing circular columns were wrapped in“ tree” structures using Tectum ceiling panels, echoing nature-inspired elements found throughout the building.
“ This has been the smoothest renovation we have ever experienced,” said Kate Barrand, president and CEO of Horizons for Homeless Children.“ The Kaplan team delivered work on time and on budget with few distractions or interruptions. Kaplan stands out as a responsive and reliable partner, and
I have shared my enthusiasm with any organization looking to do a childcare build-out.”
The project was delivered in three strategic phases to minimize disruption within the fully occupied building. Renovations to two office suites, one on each floor, were expedited and completed within eight weeks of mobilization. A second round of work included upgrades to stroller rooms and reception areas, turned over within 19 weeks. The final phase focused on the fit-out of the new classrooms and childcare areas. Successfully phasing these spaces required temporary safety measures
Classroom
to isolate construction areas and acute attention to material management.
Kaplan served as construction manager, marking the company’ s third project for the Massachusetts-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families experiencing homelessness. In 2021, Kaplan completed the fit-out of a 40,000sf early childhood center and headquarters for the organization.
The project team members also included owner’ s representative Jonathan Lavash Project Management and architects Ashley McGraw Architects and EMBARC.
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