The Brokaw Early Learning Center, designed by DLR Group for Oswego Community Unit School District 308 in Oswego, Illinois, stands as an exemplary space crafted to meet the distinct needs of children aged three to five. This innovative center integrates three vital programs: Tuition Pre-School, Preschool for All, and Special Education, all within a thoughtfully designed environment. DLR Group’s architectural solution manifests as a pinwheel layout, strategically organizing four small “houses” around a central hub of shared resources. This core encompasses administrative offices, a multi-purpose gymnasium, and a community/parent room, fostering a sense of community and accessibility.
Each “house” within the Brokaw Early Learning Center is designed to feel intimate and manageable for young learners. Comprising five classrooms encircling an open “living room,” this design intentionally reduces the perceived scale of the school for its youngest occupants. From a child’s perspective, their learning environment is comfortably scaled down to just five classrooms and a central living room. These living rooms serve as the programmatic and social heart of each house, acting as multi-functional, flexible spaces for group learning, activities, and social interaction. Replacing traditional hallways, these areas maximize usable educational space, accounting for over 80% of the building’s total area. The living rooms also provide crucial visual connections to the outside environment, enhancing the learning experience. The design incorporates high ceilings and gable roofs within these living rooms, creating a bright and cheerful atmosphere conducive to early learning.
Several key design goals guided the creation of the Brokaw Early Learning Center, all centered around creating an optimal environment for young children. Firstly, the focus was on establishing a comfortable learning environment. Prioritizing the well-being of the children and their daily activities, each classroom is equipped with both in-floor and ceiling radiant heating. This feature ensures consistent comfort and creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. Window design is also crucial, with both adult and child-scale windows incorporated throughout the classrooms. Glass-only windows cater to adult views, while portal windows, positioned just 16 inches off the floor, are specifically designed for children. This low height ensures students of all abilities can easily connect with the outdoors. Furthermore, observation windows between the living rooms and classrooms allow natural light from the gable roofs to permeate deeper into the interior spaces, enhancing the overall brightness. The combination of gable roofs, high ceilings, and expansive windows ensures that 100% of classrooms and 85% of the entire building benefit from abundant natural light.
Secondly, the design intentionally incorporates elements to reduce the perceived scale of the building, making it more welcoming and less overwhelming for young children. Horizontal lines are consistently utilized throughout the facility, creating a child-friendly scale through color, materials, and texture. Both interior and exterior design elements subtly taper off at a 9-foot elevation. This clever design technique visually reduces the building’s height, making the large structure appear smaller and more approachable to children. Examples of these elements include drywall reglets at 9 feet in interior spaces, entry canopies at 9 feet, and brickwork on the building’s exterior extending up to 9 feet, with a different material used above. These design choices effectively mitigate the feeling of vast, high-volume spaces, creating a more comforting environment.
Interior perspective of Brokaw Early Learning Center showcasing the 9-foot horizontal design element and child-friendly scale
Finally, addressing acoustics and providing effective sound control was a paramount design consideration. Recognizing the importance of acoustics in teaching and learning, the Oswego school district and DLR Group prioritized sound management. The design and construction met the ANSI Standard S12.60, specifically addressing the unique needs of early childhood education and children’s sensitivity to sound. To achieve optimal sound control, electrical boxes are staggered, and partition walls are constructed with metal studs, acoustical insulation, and three layers of gypsum board. These walls extend to full height, preventing sound from traveling over the ceiling and ensuring effective sound isolation between spaces.
The Brokaw Early Learning Center in Oswego, IL, exemplifies thoughtful and innovative design in early childhood education facilities. By prioritizing the comfort, scale, and acoustic needs of young learners, DLR Group has created a space that is not only functional and efficient but also nurturing and inspiring for children beginning their educational journey. This center serves as a model for future early learning environments, demonstrating the profound impact of intentional design on young children’s learning experiences.
