WOODLAND ACADEMY LEARNING CENTER
Part of an 80-acre campus in Miami, Oklahoma, the 12,850 SF Woodland Academy Learning Center fills a community need, providing childcare for infants to 12 years of age. The design team closely collaborated with the Tribe to program and design the new facility. Tribal leaders desired to provide a higher level of care and learning than the traditional daycare. As such, the name “Academy” was intentionally selected to represent this while distinguishing it from other childcare facilities. Its curriculum focuses on art, language, social and active elements rather than technology and individual activities.
Designed to be licensed for up to 135 children, the facility includes six classrooms, a multipurpose room, kitchen, dining room, administrative area, teacher workroom, nurse room, restrooms and other building support spaces. Several of the classrooms will be part of a hardened structure which will provide a protected area during severe weather.
The interior design creates a fun and practical space while subtly integrating the heritage of the Peoria Tribe. Because the Peoria Tribe considers nature a vital teaching tool, the interior is designed around the concept of bringing the river and woodlands indoors with a sun-shaped feature offset from the ceiling, a seating area filled with natural tree stools and large pebble poufs, flooring of multiple shades of green and blue shaped into a flowing river, and walls adorned with murals and three-dimensional trees that continue onto the ceilings.
Seeking to incorporate the Tribe’s value of community over the individual, the main north façade was designed to be open and inviting with a goal of welcoming parents, children and staff into the building. Visitors are greeted by a large, porte cochère at the main entrance which provides protection from the elements during drop-off and pick-up.