Emma's Child Care Centre

Additional Info

Award Winner : Metric Modular

Architectural Excellence : This one-storey childcare centre was a full turnkey project starting with the demolition and site remediation of an existing daycare. The facility was designed for the YWCA to provide affordable care for the children of at-risk, low-income teenage mothers who are completing their education in a building next door and adheres to very strict city design board and health & safety guidelines for childcare facilities. The exterior design complements the residential neighbourhood and incorporates extensive landscaping, play areas and play equipment.

The building is designed to accommodate infants on one side and toddlers on the other with a kitchen, children’s washrooms and reception area in the centre and cubbies at the entry. The interior includes extensive custom millwork and a heated crawl space to keep the floor warm for children’s floor activities. Large windows and door lites maximize natural light and provide a bright and positive learning environment.

Cost Energy Effectiveness : The roof has R40 blown-in insulation and the exterior walls and floor also have high R values to make the building very energy efficient. The interior warm air, normally exhausted to the exterior, is collected and cycled through the heat recovery ventilation system and electronic air filter to recover the heat otherwise exhausted, thereby reducing the heating costs. The gas-fired furnace, at 91% efficiency, combined with the latest technology in HRV and electronic air filtering provides economical heat and ventilation.

Occupied Date : 7/28/2006

Production Start Date : 1/16/2006

Project Location City : Vancouver

Project Location State Name : BC

Technical Innovation : To ensure proper site drainage, extensive site work was required because of a severe slope at the front of the property. The building was designed with the latest rainscreen technology to ensure dry, breathable walls and eliminate the prospect of mold and mildew. Humidity and dust is controlled by state-of-the-art electronic filtration and a heat recovery ventilator (HRV).

Total Square Feet : 3488

Category : Permanent: Education: under 5,000 sq. ft.