LOCATION
Kearney, Nebraska

AREA
19,900 GSF

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Located on the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) campus, the Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center is a key component of the College of Education’s early childhood education program. The facility provides hands-on learning opportunities for UNK students. It houses 11 classrooms and can accommodate up to 176 children.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

• Awarded the American School & University 2024 Architectural Portfolio Citation Award in Pre-K/Early Childhood.
• Coordinated location of packaged rooftop units along the central corridor to reduce noise by keeping the equipment off the classroom space. This allowed for the efficient use of screen walls to minimize noise outside the building and the visual impact of rooftop equipment.
• The Direct Digital Control building automation system was provided for ease of building control and integrates with the campus-wide control system. The system can monitor and control room temperature and schedule occupied times for all equipment.
• Lighting was carefully detailed to illuminate the exterior sun-shade fin element that wraps the main entry and multipurpose room. A continuous line of light spanning multiple ceiling planes reinforces the interior design elements while also providing way-finding through the facility.
• A custom-detailed backlit table with individually controllable red, green, blue, and white LED tape strands provides an interactive learning element for children to get a hands-on learning experience with color.
• The security system consists of door position switches and motion detectors to detect intrusions within the building. A card reader is located at the main vestibule and at each exterior classroom door to provide access control for staff and public personnel.
• Provided with a complete data and voice communications structured cabling system, including raceways, cable trays, cable, patch panels, cable management hardware, and universal jacks.

Find projects similar to the Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center by viewing our early childhood project portfolio.

Photography credit: Thomas Grady Photography