ENR California's Best Projects 2020
Environmental Nature Center Preschool: Green Project
Environmental Nature Center Preschool
Photo by Mascari Graphics
A butterfly-shaped roof opens classrooms to natural light and supports photovoltaic panels designed to provide 105% of the preschool’s electrical needs.
Photo by Mascari Graphics
The Environmental Nature Center Preschool provides a blend of indoor and outdoor learning environments.
Photo by Mascari Graphics
It includes a 10,380-sq-ft preschool, an administration building, classroom building, covered courtyard and nature-inspired play area.
Photo by Mascari Graphics
It includes a 10,380-sq-ft preschool, an administration building, classroom building, covered courtyard and nature-inspired play area.
Photo by Mascari Graphics
Environmental Nature Center Preschool
Newport Beach, Calif.
Best Project
Owner: Environmental Nature Center
Contractor: Consolidated Contracting Services Inc.
Lead Design Firm: LPA Design Studios
This LEED Platinum project, with a blend of indoor and outdoor learning environments, includes a 10,380-sq-ft preschool, an administration building, classroom building, covered courtyard and nature-inspired play area. Indoor areas offer natural ventilation and a radiant floor heating system.
A butterfly-shaped roof opens classrooms to natural light and supports photovoltaic panels designed to provide 105% of the preschool’s electrical needs. Other green features include the use of natural and recycled materials, laser-cut BOK panel fence, permeable paver parking lot, car-charging stations and rock basins and bioswales that naturally treat rainwater while providing a fun and engaging educational tool.
The project, which also is pursuing Living Building Challenge certification, initially came in over budget, but the team worked closely to create value-engineering options that brought costs down without taking away aesthetic elements or affecting the schedule.
Safety also was a priority; the job had zero accidents throughout construction. The team employed a dedicated field safety professional to conduct random jobsite safety inspections, ensure compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations, and educate all parties on applicable standards and use of equipment.
