Childcare Design Journal - Fall 2019

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Ways Building Design Affects Learning

FALL 2019

Construction Costs Example Case Study Calbert Design Group, LLC

CONTENTS 4 Do You N d an Architect?

6 Building Cost Example Case Study

8 Coloring Outside the Lines

10 Childcare Licensing State Requirements

14 Design Inspiration

18 Childcare Design: Building Prototypes

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Comfort Charm H

ello, we’re welcoming our Fall issue of As a studio of architects, designers, and planners that focus primarily in childcare, we are very pleased that we are in a position to offer this publication as a resource to owners and operators throughout the United States.

Our goal is to share with you informative articles and inspirational ideas that will help you feel confident in your decisions regarding the design, construction, and maintenance of your childcare facilities.

I hope you will enjoy reading this magazine periodically and that you will allow me to continue to provide great service to you in the future. Please feel free to share this issue with friends and colleagues. I would love to hear what they think of the magazine too.

We believe that inspiring childcare design will improve communities and the family support system along the way.

Thank you for always keeping our Childcare Design Studio in mind for your design needs.

Rebecca

For more inspiration, visit us at www.ChildcareDesign.com and www.CalbertDesign.com

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If you’ve ever wondered this to yourself, you are not alone. The question of whether you need an architect for your building construction project is a very common one.

We get a lot of calls from potential clients who have tried to build or renovate a building, only to be stopped dead in their tracks by their local building permit offices. The callers all share the same story. They had no idea they were going to have to hire an architect. They didn’t budget for a designer. They’ve already drawn up what they want, and they resent having to go through extra hoops to get the project completed.

We get all kinds of calls: •

A church camp adding a nursing station.

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A restaurant owner moving into a shopping center.

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Local developers planning a community center.

So, how’s a business owner to know if an architect is really required, or if they guy they called is just trying to sell them services that they don’t need?

We completely understand. It’s hard to tell where the proverbial “line in the sand” is, and information isn’t easy to come by. Building codes have made the requirements to use an architect about as clear as mud.

To give our clients a head start, we’ve completed a full analysis of each situation that a licensed architect is required.

Begin with the “Start Here” and ask yourself each yes or no question. If the answer is no, follow the red arrow. If the answer is yes, follow the green arrow. Follow your path until the result is either, “Architect is not required” or “Hire and Architect”.

As you walk yourself through this flowchart, keep in mind that these are the minimum requirements of the national building codes. Each local city and county will also have additional codes that can be more strict.

If in doubt, call your local building department. Tell them where your property is located and what you plan to do. They’ll be happy to give you guidance.

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Many people looking to building a childcare center often wonder exactly how much it is going to cost and how much childcare construction costs per square foot - but this is not an easy question to answer. There are many factors and spets to consider when estimating commercial construction costs.

So, let’s break down the process piece by piece so you have a framework for better estimating your childcare construction budget.

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With each subsequent year, the real estate and building construction costs rise.

When planning your finances and targeting the correct amount of cash on hand to have available to get started, make sure to include the cost of inflation.

A building that costs $1 million today will probably cost $1.1m next year.

Start by having your architect design your floor plan and building.

These design documents

will determine the size, style, and features you desire in your childcare center and will be the baseline for your project budget.

Find a builder who routinely builds similar style projects and have them develop pricing.

Arriving at an exact figure for childcare construction costs per square foot might not be perfect, but getting a ballpark idea should be possible.

The final price of your childcare center will not just be determined by the size of the building.

The style and quality must also be taken into account when determining construction costs.

Leave room in your budget to allow for any unexpected construction costs. Some common expenses that are often overlooked are site preparation, permit fees, time of year.

Above all, realize that the finished cost of construction is often more than the original bid price. Budget for 10-15% overruns.

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Coloring Outside the Lines: How Building Dсign Affects Learning

Did you know a building layout can affect student performance by up to 25 percent?

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f you think architects don’t consider building layout when they design, think again.

And if you consider brick and mortar to be inconsequential in not only learning, but

also in mood, teacher productivity, and concentration, you’re in for a big surprise.

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Lighting Natural light increases cognizant awareness.

Our bodies are hardwired to react differently to night than to day. As a result, when more natural light is permitted to enter a care center, the children will have heightened senses and concentration.

If you don’t believe us, just think about how many times you’ve fallen asleep in a dimly lit room watching television. However, that doesn’t mean that just any old light will do. Studies show that different colored lighting has different effects. For instance, blue is ideal for learning. As a result, utilizing designs with large windows and considering 6500 K lighting (which is a bluish white) may be a good idea.

Color Roses are red, violets are blue and learning is . . . well, red, blue and green. It depends what tasks are being undertaken. Studies indicate that red, while able to create a desire to avoid tasks, can also stimulate performance on detailed-focus work. Blue is excellent for promoting creativity and green encourages self-reflection. Therefore, painting a library green and blue would be an excellent way to create a calm atmosphere that fosters imagination and critical reading.

Separating your child care center into zones, then, is optimal for different activities. Match the activity type to the color to optimize learning and promote a healthier environment.

Acoustics We all know if something raucous is occurring in the next room and the noises are infiltrating through the walls, it’s nearly impossible to gain a child’s attention. Part of the reason for this is that children are more sensitive to listening conditions than adults.

In fact, in a study conducted on over 300 children, it was found that students in classrooms with poor acoustics suffered impaired processing after reading and had more negative perceptions about their teacher and peers than those in rooms with better acoustics.

By designing the building layout so that the teacher’s voice is amplified and outside sounds are reduced, students will learn better. Sound control windows and doors, acoustical ceiling tiles and soft surfaces can be implemented to create high quality acoustics.

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FL

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The information provided on this page is a basic outline of Florida Child Care requirements that pertain to the design and construction of Child Care Facilities in the State of Florida. This information is a brief synopsis and does not include all of the detailed requirements needed to satisfy the governing authorities for Child Care Licensing, Building Code, Fire Code, Accessibility, or local Zoning. These guidelines are for general information and planning purposes. Contact the governing authority directly or engage a Licensed Architect to complete a full analysis of your school location.

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GA

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The information provided on this page is a basic outline of Georgia Child Care requirements that pertain to the design and construction of Child Care Facilities in the State of Georgia. This information is a brief synopsis and does not include all of the detailed requirements needed to satisfy the governing authorities for Child Care Licensing, Building Code, Fire Code, Accessibility, or local Zoning. These guidelines are for general information and planning purposes. Contact the governing authority directly or engage a Licensed Architect to complete a full analysis of your school location.

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The information provided on this page is a basic outline of North Carolina Child Care requirements that pertain to the design and construction of Child Care Facilities in the State of North Carolina. This information is a brief synopsis and does not include all of the detailed requirements needed to satisfy the governing authorities for Child Care Licensing, Building Code, Fire Code, Accessibility, or local Zoning. These guidelines are for general information and planning purposes. Contact the governing authority directly or engage a Licensed Architect to complete a full analysis of your school location.

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OH

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The information provided on this page is a basic outline of Ohio Child Care requirements that pertain to the design and construction of Child Care Facilities in the State of Ohio. This information is a brief synopsis and does not include all of the detailed requirements needed to satisfy the governing authorities for Child Care Licensing, Building Code, Fire Code, Accessibility, or local Zoning. These guidelines are for general information and planning purposes. Contact the governing authority directly or engage a Licensed Architect to complete a full analysis of your school location.

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f Chip and Joanna Gaines ever decided to open a child care center, they would fall

in love with this farmhouse child care center design. The business brand, name and farmhouse concept were created completely in house.

We began the branding process by researching and discovering the child care customer’s desired experience. We found that working parents want a relaxing and comfortable child care environment that feels like an extension of the home. They also want their children in the care of teachers and sta with strong core values.

This market discovery exercise determined that the notable and trending farmhouse interior design style that everyone craves could be successfully re-imagined as a child care brand. The farmhouse child care center concept speaks of a simpler time when

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children played until dusk to catch fire flies.

The old fashioned farmhouse style gives a relaxed and comforting feeling to both children and parents.

The farmhouse brand concept, the company name, logo, colors, building and website design were all developed to have a cohesive business brand message that would be a unique differentiator in the child care market Inspiration for the name “little kid academy” was sparked from a combination of the popular farmhouse style and a play on words.

farm = goat baby goat = kid farm + kid = little kid academy

The farmhouse child care center building design is laid out on a long rectangular footprint for versatility purposes. This makes siting the building just as easy on a long and narrow lot as it would be on a wide street frontage lot.

The logo combinations shown are for signage purposes as well as interior color selections. Each color shown can correspond to a different age group or area within the building. The whitewash ship lap wall would make s distinctive and textural feature wall within the lobby and office areas.

The logo and name of “little kid academy”, as well as the building design are copyrighted by Calbert Design Group, LLC. However, we would love the opportunity to talk to you about what your brand message wants to be and help you carry out a visual style that is unique to you.

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Carrington Academy Suwanee, GA

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his private childcare facility is a development

soft padding underneath to protect children

in Alpharetta, Georgia that was designed to

from falls. Trike paths encircle the larger play

continue the rustic look of the brand’s two-story

pieces to encourage children to ride trikes.

flagship location at the Windermere Golf Club campus.

Located directly adjacent to the Big Creek Greenway of Forsyth County, encouraging a healthy

The building’s brick and stone veneer is accent-

family lifestyle for after work activities. The big

ed with rough cedar trusses and cedar covered

creek greenway is a 12′ wide path meandering

gables over shade porches on both the front

through the woods along the banks of Big Creek.

and rear sides.

When all phases of construction of the path are completed, the trails will span approximately 15

The playground is seperated into three age

miles in length. Many seasonal activities occur

groups; Infants/Toddlers, Preschool, and School

on the trails allowing the center to be more in-

ages. Fall zones beneath all of the playground

volved in social and community activities.

equipment are covered in a synthetic grass with

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The Farmhouse featured farmhouse PROTOTYPE

A Farmhouse childcare facility that would be home away from home

Building area: 8,480 G.S.F. Number of Students: 119 kids (Infants to 5yo.)

Rooms:

Classroom types:

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Kitchen

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Infant

• Board and batten siding

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Laundry

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Toddlers

• Metal roof and awnings

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Reception

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Early Pre School

Color:

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Office

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Pre School

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Classrooms: 5

Materials: • Brick veneer

SW soft white

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FRONT ELEVATION

FLO

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This Spanish Rivival Style prototype childcare facility has; Building area: 11,905 G.S.F. Number of Students: 224 kids (infants to 5yo.)

Materials:

Rooms:

• Stucco Wall, (Color: SW 7516 Kestrel White)

• Kitchen

• Stucco Trim, (Color: SW6066 Sand Trap)

• Laundry

• Wood Trim, (Color SW 3518 Hawethorne

• Reception

Stain)

• Office

• Clay Tile Roofing, (Color: Newport Blend)

Classrooms: 8

• Vinyl Window

Classroom types:

• Hallow Metal Door

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Infants

• Decorative Medallion

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Toddlers

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Early Pre School

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Pre School

FRONT ELEVATION

Spanish Rivival Style

plug. ‘word of mouth’ has potential to be electrifyingly effective.

Thank you for your continued business and support.

Your assistance in generating new clients for our business is always appriciated.

Calbert Design Group, LLC Rebecca Calbert, AIA, LEED AP Owner, Principal Architect 2950 Cherokee St., NW, Suite 600 Kennesaw, GA 30144 678-398-7744 Rebecca@CalbertDesign.com