Wuneechanunk Early Learning and Childcare Center
Shinnecock Indian Reservation
Our involvement with this project began when we were approached by WH Pacific, a Native American owned architectural firm from Arizona. They had been asked to submit a proposal to design a pre-school building for the Shinnecock Tribe. Two of the essential criteria for selection were Native American ownership and a proven background in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Design. Our firm’s strong reputation in the latter was recognized by the Selection Committee and our joint proposal was selected. The project is now in construction.
The building includes a core facility with administrative offices, kitchen, two classrooms for toddlers and one for infants as well as a multi-purpose room. The design includes provision for a future addition of equal size which would house classrooms and a full commercial kitchen.
This project holds considerable symbolic significance for the Tribe. The intent is to create a learning environment that will provide a safe and cheerful place for their pre-schoolers to begin their education. As such, the Building Committee recognized the importance of designing a high performance building that would provide ample sun-light, winter warmth, and physical comfort. Equally important to the committee is the need to make the building a show-piece of energy efficiency and sustainable design. This supports the Native American ethic of treading lightly on the earth. It is often repeated by members of the Shinnecock Tribe that decisions made today should take into account their impact on the seventh generation yet to come.
Our response to this imperative includes the following features:
The building includes a core facility with administrative offices, kitchen, two classrooms for toddlers and one for infants as well as a multi-purpose room. The design includes provision for a future addition of equal size which would house classrooms and a full commercial kitchen.
This project holds considerable symbolic significance for the Tribe. The intent is to create a learning environment that will provide a safe and cheerful place for their pre-schoolers to begin their education. As such, the Building Committee recognized the importance of designing a high performance building that would provide ample sun-light, winter warmth, and physical comfort. Equally important to the committee is the need to make the building a show-piece of energy efficiency and sustainable design. This supports the Native American ethic of treading lightly on the earth. It is often repeated by members of the Shinnecock Tribe that decisions made today should take into account their impact on the seventh generation yet to come.
Our response to this imperative includes the following features:
- The building is constructed using structural insulated panels (SIPS) as roof and exterior walls. These provide superior insulating qualities and minimize heat loss due to infiltration. They are structurally stronger than conventional wood stick construction and provide dimensional stability. Added benefits are their superior sound deadening qualities and inherent mold and mildew resistance due to their cavity-free nature.
- The building has a radiant floor slab to provide the utmost in winter-time comfort, especially for young children often sitting or crawling on the floor. The slab is well insulated from below to insure minimal downward heat loss.
- With its orientation to the south, and the large amount of south-facing glazing, the school will have ideal passive solar characteristics. Winter sun will be admitted and its energy stored in the floor slab for gradual release through the night.
- Summer sun is shaded by the overhangs which were properly sized with dynamic computer modeling.
- Interior finishes were selected for their maintenance ease and non-toxic properties. For example, the Forbo finish flooring throughout the building is naturally antibacterial.
- Ventilation is constantly provided for humidity control and to maintain a healthy environment. Windows, of course, are operable. Each classroom connects directly to the outdoors.