Early Childhood Development Center
Newport News, Virginia
Square Footage
34,400 SF
Building Type
Education
Project Type
New Construction
Team
Architect-led
Services Provided
Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Design, Construction Administration, Commissioning
Overview
The Early Childhood Development Center in Newport News was designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality early education while supporting workforce development in the region. The facility serves approximately 200 children from infancy through age five and functions as a hands-on training environment for students enrolled in Virginia Peninsula Community College’s early childhood education programs. Designed with sustainability, safety, and learning at its core, the center provides a healthy, welcoming space for children, educators, and families.
Challenges
- Designing a dual-purpose facility that accommodates secure, age-appropriate childcare environments while supporting collegiate training programs required careful coordination between safety, functionality, and flexibility./li>
- Providing superior indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and acoustic control for infant and early learning spaces posed unique mechanical and plumbing design challenges, particularly within a high-occupancy educational setting.
- Integrating geothermal-served water source heat pump systems and other high-performance building technologies to meet LEED v4.0 certification goals demanded precise system coordination without increasing operational complexity or maintenance demands.
Goals
- Clear, contamination-controlled pathways between apparatus bays, gear-washing areas, and living quarters, ensuring each specialty team could operate safely and efficiently within the shared facility.
- Advanced mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to support the intensive training functions of the three-story tower while maintaining energy efficiency and compliance with NFPA, FEMA, and ISO standards.
- Through strategic system selections, detailed coordination, and cost-conscious design decisions, we delivered a high-performance facility that met the full programmatic needs while respecting the project’s established budget.
Project Team
- Owner: City of Newport News
- Architect: QuinnEvans
- Structural:
- Civil:
- Contractor: M.B. Kahn Construction Co., Inc., McKenzie Division
Results
- The completed facility provides a modern, healthy learning environment that supports early childhood development while expanding educational opportunities for future teachers.
- Energy-efficient systems help reduce operating costs and support the City of Newport News’ sustainability initiatives.
- The center has become a vital community asset, addressing childcare needs, supporting workforce development, and offering long-term value through durable, high-performance building systems.
