JL Architects

Education

Modern Innovations Emerging in Today’s Early Childhood Education Facilities

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As parents continue to return to the workplace, young children are heading back to the early childhood classroom.  Are the design considerations of our early childhood facilities keeping up with the ever-changing requirements of today’s COVID social distancing society? Most professionals in the industry think their facilities could use an update.

“Taking into consideration potential updates that could be made to your existing or new facility is an important piece of the puzzle,” said Nick Pape, COO of Old Forge Builders, who specializes in the construction of early childhood education facilities. “Facility design and construction is as critical as top-of-the-line educational programs for success, more recently around safety, wellness, and technology.”

What should you consider as you plan to update your existing or plan your new early childhood education facility?

Establish Goals for a New or Renovated Center

  • Help ensure the final product fully meets your needs by describing things such as how you want the center to feel and function and the type of atmosphere you hope to create

Have your Architect Evaluate Your Existing Center (when renovating, or adding locations)

  • An architect needs to understand how you currently use your center and determine what you like/don’t like about it, so be sure to think about how different functions and activities occur and what changes you should make to have a more effective environment in your new facility

Check Out the Competition

  • Visit newly constructed facilities and high-quality spaces to pay careful attention to design features that appeal to you, interview staff

Interview Potential “Users” of your New Center

  • Gather sufficient input from those who will ultimately use the facility: parents, teachers, support staff, administrators, and children to identify and prioritize needs

Plan

  • Remember to plan for potential program growth or other trends that might affect your facility’s plans

Identify Your Center’s Specific Needs

  • Think about your center’s total population, the number of children you hope to serve as well as the number of adults who will use the space
  • Consider how children will interact in the physical space and provide your architect with specifics regarding children’s ages, head count, need for spaces with distinct use, spaces that should be adjacent to one another, etc.
  • Plan for more than the required square footage by state licensing standards to ensure that you have the amount of usable space you will need today and in the future
  • Allow for at least 50 SF per child of useable classroom space for preschool-age children and even more for infants and toddlers

Identify Each Type of Use Space

  • Classrooms: Specify the types of features you would like to have in each classroom, such as child size bathrooms, windows, counters/cabinets, access to the outdoors, etc.
  • Staff: Staff needs may include things such as secure storage for personal belongings, phones/intercoms in rooms, work areas in classrooms, convenient storage for classroom supplies and materials, staff break and resource rooms, and more.
  • Offices: Plan for the number of staff who need private office space and the types of activities that will take place in the various offices
  • Kitchen: Decide early in the process how you plan to use the kitchen and communicate this with your architect.
  • Miscellaneous: Consider other types of spaces you should provide for adults using your center, such as adult bathrooms, staff break and resource rooms, meeting room, and dedicated parent spaces such as a resource area.
  • Storage: Plan for ample space for storage needs up front to add to your satisfaction with the center when it is complete.
  • Entry/Reception: Discuss what type of reception work area is needed, security system requirements, waiting area layout, and a potential separate delivery area.
  • Maintenance: Plan for enough space for important functional areas such as laundry facilities, janitorial closet, mechanical room, etc.
  • Outdoors: Carefully think of the areas outside of your facility such as parking, landscaping, playground, etc.

JL Architects has over 30 years of experience providing planning, permitting, design, and architectural support across the entire US. With a variety of early childhood care and educational facilities in our portfolio, how can we help you update or plan your next child care center?

-Laura McLaine, Director of Business Development

 

School Shootings; Architecture for Education

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January 24, 2019, I was in my last semester of architecture school at Penn State, and enjoying a band in downtown State College when my friend got an eerie text. “There’s a shooter downtown, please be safe.” At first, we didn’t know if the warning was real, as we did not receive a University phone alert about the situation. And, no police report could be found on the internet. It was our group chats that allowed us to realize what was happening. Four people were killed that night.

This was not considered a “school shooting” because it happened off Penn State’s campus, but I did experience a small glimpse of what 187,000 students have faced since the horrific 1999 Columbine High School shooting. Columbine, and the school shootings that have continued since are why I had lock-down drills in school every year starting in kindergarten.  Now, 46 weeks into 2019, there has been a total of 45 separate school shootings in America, according to CNN. This includes elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as universities. Political beliefs aside, we can agree change is needed.

One of the fundamentals of architecture is to protect the public health, safety and general welfare of building occupants. This refers to our building codes and addresses areas such as egress in case of fire, accessibility, structural integrity, etc. With the reality of gun violence in our county, should architects be responsible for designing an environment that protects occupants from possible shootings?

When responding to the issue of gun violence against students, the first thought may be to have bag checks, more cameras, and armed guards, etc. But, architecture is about unconventional solutions. The solution to this problem is not to turn every school in America into a Panopticon*. This would be an effective solution regarding safety, but does not lead to an environment that fosters learning, creativity, and self-growth.

PanopticonPrison-TodSeelie-5

*A Panopticon is a type of institutional building (primarily used in prisons) that is a system of control design that allows for a single security guard to observe every inmate while also concealing the security guard from the inmates.

The new Sandy Hook Elementary School designed by Svigals + Partners is a great example of looking towards a solution in architecture. While working with DVS Security Consulting, they came up with a 3-step security approach: hardened architectural elements, technology, and operational strategies. The hardened architectural elements were designed carefully to conceal the security measures. The school yard has a rain garden that can be used as a barricade, laminated glass was used for greater resistance to impact. Strategic sightlines were implemented to keep the classrooms at a higher elevation allowing students to be invisible from the ground, while also allowing for better vision of the lower public spaces. The hallways are slightly curved which breaks up the line of sight. The hallways also have intermittent wing walls that allow for more hiding spaces. All design choices work towards safety, without taking away from a beautiful building that fosters learning and creativity. The next step was technology. The building has a series of fire doors that can be closed and locked to isolate an attacker. There is a network of cameras and lighting that respond to movement that can alert the school of suspicious behavior. The last step was operational strategies, like trained emergency response personnel and continued education for best safety practices.

Gun violence in schools is a complex social issue that goes beyond curved walls. The Sandy Hook Elementary School design is not the solution, but it is a step towards reframing the architecture conversation of educational institutions. Architecture will not be able to solve gun violence, but it can be an important piece in saving lives. As architects we must always be thinking about the purpose of our design and how it addresses the needs and challenges of the building user.  As society changes, so must architecture.

 

Hannah Helmes, Architectural Designer

 

Links:

https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/15/us/2019-us-school-shootings-trnd/index.html

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/mass-shooting-reactive-design

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/school-shooting-prevention-design

The Importance of Daylighting

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Daylighting is an important consideration when designing space.  But what exactly is daylighting?  Daylighting is the practice of placing windows, other openings, and reflective surfaces so that sunlight (direct or indirect) can provide effective internal lighting.  When daylighting is properly executed, not only will it be visually enhancive, it will also result in sustainable and energy efficient buildings.

How is daylight different from sunlight?  Sunlight is the light that enters a space directly from the sun.  This type of light can produce glare as well as excessive heat.  Neither of which is suitable for indoor environments, especially for places such as schools, offices, or retail stores where direct sunlight is uncomfortable and can cause visual impairment due to glare.  Daylight on the other hand, describes the natural light in a space that is evenly distributed to avoid the ill effects of direct sunlight, while providing an internal environment that is comfortable and productive as well as energy efficient.

Researchers have found that a well daylit space can have a positive physiological impact on a person’s circadian rhythm.  Often referred to as the “body clock,” the circadian rhythm, which primarily responds to light and darkness, is an internal cycle that tells our bodies when to sleep, wake up, and eat.  A study by the Heschong Mahone Group based near Sacramento found that students who took their lessons in classrooms with more natural light scored as much as 25 percent higher on standardized tests than other students in the same school district.  The main theory for why is that daylighting enhances learning by boosting the eyesight, mood and/or health of students and their teachers.

Daylighting can also have a significant effect on energy conservation.  Highly efficient, strategically placed windows maximize the use of natural daylight in a building, lowering the need for artificial light. Window technologies available today are more energy efficient as they insulate while still letting the light you want in.  Daylighting will lower your lighting and heating needs, meaning you use less electricity and it turn, lower your utility bill.  The more natural lighting, the more money you can save!

If you are looking to redesign your space, consider incorporating daylighting into your design.  The experts at JL Architects can help!

-Amy Estrella

 

*Image courtesy of Solera

Use Wood

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The building industry is one of the leaders in pollution and greenhouse gases.  Per the American Forest Foundation steel and concrete consume 12% and 20% more energy to produce, and emit 15% and 29% additional greenhouse gases than wood. To eliminate this statistic, substitute those high energy required materials with wood.  Examples of this have been provided below by the American Forest Foundation.

  • Constructing a wall using kiln-dried wood studs, oriented strand board (OSB) sheathing, and vinyl siding instead of concrete with an exterior stucco coating results in 15 pounds of avoided CO2 emissions for every square foot of wall area.
  • Using engineered wood I-joists with an OSB sub-floor rather than steel joists and OSB sub-flooring results in 22 pounds of avoided CO2 emissions for every square foot of floor area.

Wood is the most beautiful natural building material you can use.  The contrasting hues within its rich grain are often the perfect accent finish for a space.  It’s linear form of structure resembles the rhythm of Greek architecture, while also flexible enough to create free form spaces.

You might question the strength of wood versus some of the other materials mentioned.  True, however there has been great strides in wood technology.  Products like Cross Laminated Timber, and Glulam are making wood an acceptable material for building types such as arenas, gymnasiums, and multi-story structures. A study has found that Cross Laminated Timber is feasible for 12 stories and possibly more. In 2012 the International Code Council approved the use of cross laminated timber through the heavy timber construction classification.   In 2015 there were changes to the heights and area allowances for wooden structures. It is even possible to have unlimited building area. This can be met if the construction type is III, IV or V, and the structure has 60 feet or more of open space on all four sides.

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Woodworks commissioned two studies: one cost comparison, and one life-cycle assessment on the same big box project designed in steel versus wood.  It was found that the wooden building saved approximately 22% in construction costs, with many of the savings being from roof framing, wall framing, and roof insulation.  The study also concluded that the proposed wood building impacts are lower than the steel building in each category except ozone depletion, where the percentage was 5% higher.

It seems that technology in wood construction is providing ways to build larger structures, and the code councils are changing the restrictions to allow these structures to comply.  Perhaps we as an industry should look at wood as a more viable material for construction.

-Nathan Houser

Main blog image courtesy of Dezeen

 

Project Delivery Methods – Which One is Right for You?

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There are a great many project delivery methods.  Of which, three are the most common.  They are:

Design – Bid – Build

Design – Build

Integrated Project Delivery

We have learned that one-sized fits one, and that the best delivery method depends on the nature and personality of the project and client.

The following is a quick summary of what each of those project deliveries are, where each excels and who may be best suited for them.

“Design – Bid – Build” or DBB

  • Overview
    1. It is the one you are probably most familiar with. In this method, the design team and client start the project together, and establish the wants and needs of the client.  The design team progresses through the stages of the project from programming and schematic design to construction documentation. During construction documentation, the design team prepares drawings and specifications which are used to establish the cost of construction and what will be constructed.
  • Strength
    1. The strength of this delivery method is that the owner has a high level of control over the quality and materials to be used.
    2. If a compromise needs to be made to achieve a desired budget, the decision of what to change is up to the owner.
    3. The contract can be awarded to the lowest bidder, the most qualified bidder, through a negotiation, or a combination of all.
  • Weakness
    1. The weakness is in the cost controls and timing.  The design is prepared with only a general knowledge of costs.
    2. Contractors in a design-bid-build relationship may look for places they can charge extra for after the contract is signed.
    3. Compromises to achieve the desired budget can result in additional design fees and schedule delays.
  • Best Suited For
    1. This may be best suited for a more sophisticated client who understands costs and values.
    2. **TIP** -We recommend cost estimates during the design phase and a realistic and diminishing cost contingency to monitor design and budget alignment.

“Design-Build” or D/B

  • Overview
    1. The design and construction team act as one.  The primary contract can be between the owner and either the designer or the contractor. As the design progresses, adjustments are made to keep the design and budget in alignment.
  • Strength
    1. Control of costs; the project will be on budget.  The construction team can make changes to the materials used and the design in response to actual costs.
  • Weakness
    1. The weakness is a reduced control of the overall design.  Most D/B relationships include a loose description of the project.
    2. Cost savings and compromises are made in the quality of materials.  Those adjustments may be an equal substitution, or they may affect the long-term durability or quality of components.
    3. It is important to have a high level of trust in the D/B team since they control the quality and cost of the project.
  • Best Suited For
    1. This works for an owner whose highest priorities are controlling costs and gaining the desired baseline functionality.

 “Integrated Project Delivery” or IPD

  • Overview
    1. This method is growing in popularity.  The designer and contractor are retained by the owner at the start of the project.  Each contributes to the project as it progresses in their respective areas of expertise; the architect designs and the contractor watches the cost to construct the design as the process progresses.
    2. At the completion of the contract documents, the general contractor can provide a fixed price on budget and quickly begin construction.
  • Strength
    1. The strengths of this process are cost controls, speed of execution, and the level of cost/benefit information available during the design phase.
    2. In addition, the design is prepared working to the contractor’s strength.  That means that the methods and trades in which the contractor is most competitive are used when appropriate and when the opportunities present themselves. The single greatest benefit between IPD and D/B is the independence of the contractor and designer.  That separation adds protection to the owner.  While there may be a need to substitute materials or alter designs, the designer can reject the substitution while maintaining a cost commitment on the part of the contractor.  This can also lead to shared savings between owner and contractor during the construction process.
  • Weakness
    1. This relationship does not include competitive bidding.  Where the parties share a mutual respect and trust for one another, that can be overcome.
    2. The owner sometimes decides to put the project into a competitive bidding situation which results in compensating the contractor for their design phase services.  If someone other than the original contractor is selected there is a potential for all the conflicts that come with Design-Bid-Build.
  • Best Suited For
    1. This method is most common with sophisticated projects that have very specific requirements and budgets. Most projects can benefit from this delivery type.

A conversation with your Architect regarding your aspirations, goals and budget for your project is the starting point. That conversation will bring clarity and guidance as to what the best process is to achieve your best outcome for your project.

John W. Lister, AIA, LEED AP, GGP

Principal

Architecture: More Than Just “Plans and Specs”

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Architects are trained in a wide set of skills to assist with site selection, feasibility studies and extending into property operations and maintenance. We are proud of our track record of producing clear documentation that speeds the path of construction.  We are also proud to be part of the team benefiting our clients’ in the preparation stages.  Two of those stages are Existing Conditions Verification and Marketing.

 

Existing Conditions:

Selecting the ideal site comes with a list of factors to consider, both technical and external.  A primary external consideration is visibility.  Visibility from public roadways and angles of approach can be studied through modeling.  We combine existing and future site context such as buildings, topography and vegetation to analyze and create a virtual world in which the building or business will live.  Technical conditions include site specific codes and ordinances that effect allowable uses, building size and height, sign location and size. Each of those factors can create boundaries that apply “by-right” or that can be modified under “Conditional Use” or “Variance” procedures.  Our research includes identifying the processes and timelines to achieve approvals for the desired outcome.  Just as important, the information can lead to a decision to walk away from the project.

Architecture 2

 

Marketing:

While the design process is underway, clients can use schematic visuals like plans and elevations to attract investors or potential tenants. Renderings can also be tailored to suit specific audiences, present a holistic view of the project, or focus on specific areas of importance. Leasing plans, master site plans, and renderings can help to share the project vision before ever breaking ground.  As the project progresses, “what-if” scenarios can be explored to show a prospect how great their brand would look in a shopping center or the environment a business will offer to its team and guests.  Our team at JL Architects will make this early vision possible.

Architecture 3

Whether the project scope calls for a fit-out of a small store, master planning for large development, or anything in between, there are always opportunities throughout the life of the project for us to provide a greater vision.  And, it is this vision that will help you reach your ultimate project goals.

Brandon Runnels

Architectural Designer