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Head Start Headquarters

Fitchburg, WI

This unique building is the first Head Start facility of it's kind in Wisconsin. It combines many uses and was built for a very strict budget.

Included under one roof are: general offices for Head Start programs and teacher training rooms; a Family Service Center with parent counseling and classes; and a food storage and distribution warehouse. And two complete child care facilities -- four classrooms and kitchen for 80 children for Head Start , and four additional classrooms and therapy space for 40 more children run by the Madison School District's special needs and early childhood classes.

Special features include:

• in the classrooms: built-in playlofts, window seats set into bay windows, special energy-efficient ventilation
• a generously daylit 2-story atrium
• outdoor playspaces that we designed into "micro-climates" to be sheltered from cold northwestern Wisconsin winds
• a uniquely designed protected drop-off zone which allows children to walk from their bus to the front door without danger from autos

'Green' building features include:

• linoleum (rather than vinyl) in the children's spaces
• low-maintenance exterior materials
• insulation of recycled cellulose
• high-efficiency sealed compustion heating and ventilating equipment.
• to minimize offgassing of formadehyde and other toxins, we specified low-VOC paints and special sealant for the cabinetry
• no-VOC release agent used in the foundation walls, because children are present
• We even required that all carpeting be unrolled and ventilated off-site for weeks before installation, to avoid the 'charge' of potentially toxic compounds present in much commercial carpet.

(left) Main Atrium. Natural 'cool' daylighting with carefully designed low-energy use artificial daylighting           Fancy balloon hats were a hit at the grand opening

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