03.28.2011
Government Childcare Center Awarded LEED
The General Services Administration's (GSA) new Childcare Center at an existing Department of State training campus was recently awarded Silver Level certification, as quantified by the United States Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. The project, which also included a new Training Center addition, was awarded to Holabird & Root, for architectural services, and Wiley & Wilson, for engineering and general contractor services, through the GSA's Design Excellence Program.
The childcare center project enlarged an existing "temporary" two-classroom facility to twice the square footage, allowing the program to support the growing number of parents at the facility. The LEED Silver building takes advantage of the surrounding natural environment and provides a strong connection between the interior and exterior spaces. It provides light-filled classrooms with access to the outdoors while respecting the requirements of Diplomatic Security and controlled access. A variety of play spaces are provided to support year-round gross motor opportunities. Within the building a central multipurpose room can be used for group gatherings and play in inclement water. Covered porches on both sides of the building provide shaded space during sunny days and protection from the rain.
Following the GSA's Childcare Center Design Guide and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards, Holabird & Root designed a model center that is intended to exhibit the GSA's commitment to best practices in childcare for all its facilities.
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