Many children's make believe adventures revolve around wooden forts in the mountains; the new
Teton County Children's Learning Center by
Ward+Blake Architects and
D.W. Arthur Associates Architecture has captured this dream in the
wilds of Jackson, Wyoming. This children’s daycare facility reflects the
rustic decor of the Teton region, while achieving LEED Gold
certification with an energy-efficient, low-impact design.
Creatively named “The Ranch,” the
Rafter J Childcare facility
was designed by the team of architects to achieve three objectives: to
fit into the ranch-like neighborhood, experientially stimulate the
children, and to achieve LEED Silver certification. Boston-based
D.W. Arthur Associates Architecture was
brought into the project by local firm Ward+Blake Architects to bring
some expertise in childcare design to the table. It’s fitting that D.W.
Arthur’s mission is to educate children through experiencing their
spatial environment.
The exterior of the building celebrates the regional vernacular ranch
style of the local neighborhood, and it incorporates many natural
materials in its skin. Made from rammed earth, cedar wood, weathered
wood, glass and steel, this 12,000-square-foot facility rises and falls
almost as if mimicking the surrounding mountains. Beaver slide-like
enclosures and other slatted fences help to break up the exterior of the
building, while creating shading devices for the building. Various shed
roofs allow for natural light to penetrate deep into the building
through angled clerestory windows. Also, many of these shed roofs are
covered with sod in order to control storm water runoff.
