Details
Overview
The Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC), a premier outdoor education and conservation organization in West Michigan, sought to expand its network of their popular early childhood outdoor learning centers. After selecting a new venue, the ODC and Lakewood Construction teamed up to begin a long standing partnership.
The original building was kept, providing the structure for the project, while the inside was completely demoed and built out. The site underwent significant upgrades, including the remodeling of the parking lot to accommodate the creation of outdoor classrooms. The new facility features five classrooms designed for children from infancy to age five, each equipped with age-appropriate bathrooms and kitchenettes. Additional spaces include a conference room, storage/curriculum room, break room, laundry room, and an open meeting area.
The highlight of the project is the outdoor learning playground, designed with unique equipment and a thoughtful layout to support outdoor education programming. The playground’s standout features include striking exterior canopies crafted from heavy timber.
The building also incorporates sustainable elements, such as an Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) system installed on the roof. The ERV works alongside the ODC’s conservation efforts to exchange the energy contained in normally exhausted air of a building, using it to treat (preconditioned) incoming outdoor ventilation air.