PBS 140 Child Care Center Design Guide - The Whole Building ...

CHAPTER 6:
SITE DESIGN
This chapter provides concepts and criteria for site design
and design of the play yards. It identifies the general types of
outdoor areas required, discusses the relationships of these
areas to other outdoor and indoor spaces, and provides detailed
criteria for materials, features, furnishings, and equipment
required in these spaces.
6.1 Concepts for Site Design
The conceptual site design for child care centers must be integrated into
the design of the overall site, including vehicular and pedestrian movement,
parking, entry, service points, and constructed or landscape features. In
designing the total site, particularly for new construction, reduce the
development footprint.
The site must be designed according to general site design principles
contained in the latest edition of GSA’s Facility Standards for the Public
Buildings Service including orientation, grading and landscape form,
aesthetics, construction, plant material selection, lighting, signage, and
amenities. Before the site for the center and its playground are selected,
the soil must be tested for the presence of dangerous contaminants such
as lead and PCB’s. Coordinate with, and follow the direction of the GSA
regional environmental safety personnel to ensure that the site is
environmentally safe for children. The site should continue to be monitored,
as per the direction of the environmental safety staff, to ensure that it does
not become subsequently contaminated, especially by lead. This is
particularly a concern in urban areas or where there is a heavy concentration
of automobiles or industrial facilities. Also proposed playground locations
adjacent to old structures which may be painted with lead paint or contain
other hazards should be investigated.
Five conceptual areas of site design relating to child care centers include:
a) Entry and Circulation; b) Parking; c) Service; d) Safety and security; and
e) Play Yards.
PBS-140 - July 2003
CHAPTER 6: SITE DESIGN
6.1.1 Context:
It is paramount to considering the context in which the center and its
associated play yard are located. The designer must realize that the building
is rarely an object alone. Rather, the primary objective of the site and
exterior design should be to enhance the existing context. This is an
essential good neighbor action for the Federal Government. This aspect of
the design must be addressed at the concept level.
6.2 Entry & Circulation
6.2.1 Entry Approach:
The Center’s design should incorporate a point of reference or landmark
that serves as a welcome and a transition. The center entrance should be
separated from the main entrances to the building and to service areas, if
possible. This may be a requirement of the FPS security assessment and
should be coordinated at the beginning of the design process.
A transition, such as a porch, is desirable at the main entry. This could be
combined with a covered walkway to connect with short-term parking, for
protection from inclement weather.
In cold climates, there must be a canopy (or a recess) at required egress
doors to ensure that doors can completely open without obstruction from
snow and ice.
Drop-off areas must be arranged so that an adult can remove a child from
the pedestrian side and proceed directly to the center without crossing
traffic or crossing in front of or behind vehicles.
6.2.2 Parking:
Short-term parking should be provided for parents bringing their children to
the center. There must be accommodation for the disabled to park in this
area. A sufficient number of parking spaces are needed to allow parents
time for brief conversations with teachers while they are in the center (see
formula on next page). Short-term parking for the center should be
separated from other tenant parking and located as close to the center as
possible. However, its location must also be consistent with security as
defined by the FPS security assessment of the site.
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