Linda Boyle Forest Preschool

NORTHERN SPIRIT

LAYERS OF SPACES CONNECT TO NATURE'S PLAYGROUND

PROJECT DETAILS

Location

Glenburn, ME

Completion Date

Size

5,000 SF

Client

Linda Boyle Nature Center, LLC

Team

Mike DelleFave

Katya Stassen

Adrian DiCorato

Awards

Description

Nestled in Maine's rural north, RODE is currently creating a a new nature center and forest preschool on an 88-acre parcel including a former gravel quarry, natural wetlands, a beaver pond, rock formations, and wildlife habitats.

The Center will support a centuries old tradition of natural play as a teaching pedagogy, incorporating layers of spatial connections to both the natural play space it surrounds and to striking northern views.

Our design maximizes connections to the building's natural surroundings.

Our initial programming study helped us to understand the needs of this very special facility, particularly the levels of building enclosure required for each program element. The spaces shift between fully enclosed with framed views, enclosed but visually open, covered but open to air, and finally fully open to the sky. With the understanding of those adjacencies, we then sited and oriented the building to take advantage of the sun, views, and topography. Finally, we created roof forms and framed views specific to each space.

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Our design maximizes connections to the building's natural surroundings.

Our initial programming study helped us to understand the needs of this very special facility, particularly the levels of building enclosure required for each program element. The spaces shift between fully enclosed with framed views, enclosed but visually open, covered but open to air, and finally fully open to the sky. With the understanding of those adjacencies, we then sited and oriented the building to take advantage of the sun, views, and topography. Finally, we created roof forms and framed views specific to each space.

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The building acts as a gateway to the site and to the program, creating a main station for the students, teachers, and parents who use the space as well as a bridge connecting those people with nature.
The interiors take a minimalist approach in order to create a calm and soothing environment for child development. Large windows create a connection to the Northern sky, filling the space with light without creating harsh glare.
The project will be highly sustainable, incorporating Passive House building methods and renewable energy.