TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2009

Kwame completes education center in St. Louis

by Midwest Real Estate News Reports
St. Louis

Construction is complete on the new $17-million William L. Clay Sr. Early Childhood Development/Parenting Education Center at Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis. Kwame Building Group of St. Louis was construction manager and owner's representative on the project. KAI was the architect, and Kozeny-Wagner Inc. was the general contractor.

The new 47,000-square-foot facility houses the university's Early Childhood Education unit and a childcare center for children ages six weeks through five years. The center will facilitate hands-on experience in early childhood education based on the Reggio Emilio educational model and offers a variety of parental-guidance services.

Internationally recognized designer Adrian Luchini designed the building, which is adjacent to the university's main entry. Unique features include a curved white roof, extensive blue glass, translucent bronze panels and a large open courtyard with a colorful sculpture and garden-like playground. A glazed cutout in the roof and floor allow natural light to reach the lobby and a portion of the playground below. All of the HVAC systems are concealed under a cantilever behind the building to allow for a clean roofline.

The facility contains high-tech audio and video systems and mirrored one-way glass for students and parents to observe the children from the higher education classrooms. Other amenities include a parents' library and education room, a computer lounge for students, a multipurpose room with full kitchen, smart board technology in all classrooms and a large multimedia classroom/lecture hall.

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