2019—Anne Frank Early Childhood Center

Dallas ISD—Anne Frank Early Childhood Center
Architect: Brown Reynolds Watford Architects

ECC is a unique early childhood learning model co-located at an existing elementary campus. Understanding that children learn experientially, the school is planned around active learning spaces, with ample views to the outdoors. Classrooms are shifted around a central Commons. The Commons provide opportunities for indoor activities during bad weather and has direct access to the playground areas for group play or the smaller-scaled garden for quiet outdoor learning.

Design

ECC is a unique early childhood learning model co-located at an existing elementary campus. Understanding that children learn experientially, the school is planned around active learning spaces, with ample views to the outdoors. Classrooms are shifted around a central Commons. The Commons provide opportunities for indoor activities during bad weather and has direct access to the playground areas for group play or the smaller-scaled garden for quiet outdoor learning.

Value

ECC began with the concept of connecting with an existing elementary school campus, through shared utilities, kitchen facilities, resources, support staff and on-site amenities, value was obtained from the start. Cost of ownership was positively impacted by not having to purchase real estate for the facility. Connecting with the community with spaces that can host events provides flexibility of program, classrooms and meeting rooms that can support parents and neighbors is a tremendous value.

Sustainability

A high-performance school is energy efficient as well as healthy, comfortable, well lit, with amenities for a quality education. Striving for the most efficiency was a common goal of the design team. Sustainability was achieved through focused efforts in water conservation, material selection, indoor air quality and energy efficiencies. Partnerships with the client, architect and contractor were all key to reaching these important goals for the project and the well-being of the students.

Community

ECC is an established campus in an established community. The diversity of this community lacked a place that early childhood education was available, teaching English skills, reading skills, an environment that nurtures shared learning and a sense of place. A place that a parent can connect to the process of early discovery for their child. Relevance is the excitement of making a difference in the most formative years, eventually impacting the neighborhood and the sister school facilities.

Planning

The mission was to provide free early learning programs within an established community. A key was to make physical connections to existing infrastructure on the current campus. Vehicular drop off at the existing side road, the catering kitchen proximity to the already active kitchen in the adjacent elementary school, and common edges and boundaries that create protective green spaces. Strategically creating a footprint that addressed all these site restraints in a single building form.

School Transformation

Transformation of young lives starts with the immersion of color and light. Concepts of sharing, group learning, interaction with other toddlers and staff promotes daily discovery of all things new. Throughout the day moving through the building, witnessing natural light changing the interior spaces, visual connections to nature and the experience of transitioning from inside to outside. Learning becomes truly hands-on and experiential for these three and four year old children.

Stars of Distinction Star of Distinction Category Winner