Early Childcare Center West, Bright Horizons, University of Chicago Building, Architecture

Early Childcare Center West at Bright Horizons

New Campus Building in Chicago design by Ross Barney Architects, Illinois, USA

Oct 28, 2013

Early Childcare Center West University of Chicago

Design: Ross Barney Architects

Early Childcare Center in Chicago

View of main entry on tight urban campus site. Secure entry vestibule is a welcoming feature:

Photographs : Kate Joyce Studios

The Early Childcare Center West is the first childcare center built for the University of Chicago. The Center is located on a developing edge of the medical campus, and shall serve the families of both the University and Medical Center. On a University campus known for its combination of historic buildings and innovative architecture, the clients and architects worked to develop a language for the child care facility that creates a playful environment that’s fits with the campus environment.

Night view of secure entry vestibule area:

The center includes administration spaces, a multipurpose room and nine classrooms for infants, toddlers, young preschoolers and preschoolers in 12,710 square feet. Each classroom has direct access to an outdoor playground.

Entry area:

Full-height windows in the classrooms bring natural light into the space and allow outdoor views for the children as well as the adults.

View of entry vestibule showing window graphic:

A number of sustainable features have been incorporated into the building including a graphic film applied to the large expanses of glass, designed to prevent bird collisions while allowing the use of natural lighting, thus reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day.

Views of secure playground area for older children:

Sustainable strategies include a high performance building envelope, maximized daylighting and views, Solatubes for additional daylighting, lighting controls with occupancy sensors, white reflective roof and vegetative roof, low flow plumbing fixtures, energy efficient HVAC design. In addition, the materials chosen for the center have high recycled content and are all low VOCs products. LEED Silver Certification is targeted.

View of classroom with daylighting and direct access to playground:

Early Childcare Center West Chicago – Building Information

Cost: $3,800,000
Program: 12,710 square foot
Status: 2013 complete
LEED GOLD Certified

– Integrated, High performance building
– Energy efficient envelope
– Daylighting and lighting control system
– Water conservation strategies
– Optimized Open space on dense, urban site
– Children’s icon
– Constructed below client budget
– Designed with input from University Community
– Secure child-care facility in an urban setting
– Creates a child scaled place for learning

View of multipurpose room with daylighting and window graphic:

Reference:
Dan Lenyo, Bright Horizons
VP Facilities Design -Construction
Bright Horizons Children’s Centers
200 Talcott Ave South
Watertown, MA 02472
p. 617-673-8057

Publications
“Child’s Play; Two Campus Child Care Centers Have Same Mission, Very Different Aesthetics”, By Pamela Dittmer McKuen, ChicagoArchitect, May/June, 2013. “Two Crafty Childcare Centers Coming Soon to U of C Campus”, By Ian Spula, Monday
January 7, 2013, Curbed Chicago

Early Childcare Center West, Bright Horizons, University of Chicago Building image / information from Ross Barney Architects

U Chicago Child Development Center Drexel managed by Bright Horizons

Phone: +1 773-819-2600
Appointments: brighthorizons.com

Address: 5610 S Drexel Ave, Chicago, IL 60637, United States

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