Schools
Merit Award Winner -
2002
Chesapeake Bay Chapter AIA
Annapolis Daycare Center
Annapolis, Maryland
Responding to Governor Parris N. Glendening's initiative to improve workplace environments for Maryland's state employees, the Department of General Services hired Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc., to renovate an existing, 6,400 square foot office space to a daycare facility for 103 children, from infants to children five years of age. In addition to the operational requirements for the daycare, additional design challenges inherent to altering the existing space included maintaining utilities located at the four interior structural columns which serve upper floors; the inclusion of a fenced, outdoor play area; and providing a drop-off area and a direct, controlled access to both the daycare and the outdoor play area.
Upon
entering the daycare, children immediately find themselves on a
"nature trail" to points of adventure and exploration. The
daycare is united along this circuitous path that begins at the parent
drop off area and ends in the middle of the outdoor play area. To foster
the integration of nature, primary spaces, such as the classroom areas,
are organized between the path and the perimeter glass wall, and vary in
size and shape. Here, nature fills the space as children witness
seasonal changes and weather patterns through the exterior windows.
Walls of varying height and location separate the classrooms from the
path. Secondary spaces are located on the inside of the path.
The
floor tiles of muted, fall colors are randomly placed like fallen leaves
directly below, with color dissipating as these tiles blend in to other
tiles outside the tree line. Randomly place recessed lights allude to
stars at night. In the children's space, open storage
"cubbies" are supported by abstract, oversized plywood
cutouts, with profiles suggesting fish and birds. The suspended ceiling,
designed to emulate clouds, fills the daycare, except at three of the
structural columns. Here, the clouds part, giving way to a canopy of
abstract and oversized maple, oak and poplar tree leaves that spring
from round, column cover "trunks" and painted, round pipe
"stems".
Architecture, structural engineering and Studio 3D computer graphics services were provided.
Easton Day Care Center at
Chapel District Elementary School
Cordova, Maryland
This project included the design of a 1,242 square-foot addition to an existing elementary school. The design included an open space, divided into multiple activity zones, an entrance area to include bulletin boards and storage, and an office with observation glass for the on-site manager. Architecture was designed to compliment the existing building while maintaining enough deviation in form to distinguish the addition as an independent educational center. Services included space programming, exterior detailing and complete design through construction documents. A floor finish plan incorporating a unique design of six different colors in a playful pattern was also prepared.
Fruitland Intermediate School
Fruitland, Maryland
In addition to 14 classrooms and a computer
room, this 45,000 square-foot building project included cafeteria/assembly with
stage, complete commercial kitchen, gymnasium, locker rooms,
administrative offices, media center, and art, music, and science rooms.
Architectural services, total site work and landscaping were also
provided for playground and athletic facilities for track, football, and
soccer.