The Family Learning Center at Washington University expands the childcare program with a
20,100 sf facility. The center serves 156 children; six weeks to six years.
The fractured H shape of the building and full-height windows throughout create bright and airy spaces, with abundant daylight.
To conserve space for future growth of the North Campus, the building efficiently accommodates administration, specialty rooms, kitchen, infant, toddler, and transition classrooms on the first floor. Four preschool classrooms are located on the second. The first is designed to provide classrooms with direct access to age appropriate playgrounds, with a courtyard for the infants and toddlers in the center of the building.
The LEED Gold center integrates energy efficient equipment and lighting controls with a thermally efficient building envelope. The building is designed to save 30 in energy costs over a comparable building. Regional, recycled, and rapidly renewable materials are used extensively.
The site-design strategies focus on children and sustainability. The landscaping requires no irrigation, using native and adapted planting. Bio-swales, a micro-detention basin, permeable concrete sidewalks and pavers address the extreme stormwater control challenges unique to St. Louis. The North campus is served by a Metro-Link station, and bus lines.