Ladue Early Childhood Center

Ladue, Missouri

Firm

Bond Architects, Inc.

Client

Ladue Schools

Area

50,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$11,490,000

Completion Date

08/2011

The Ladue Early Childhood Center promotes learning through exploration. This brand-new learning environment features 26 classrooms, speech- and physical-therapy suites, and a Parents as Teachers work space.

The bright colors and mix of patterns throughout the school make this an exciting space for students. Design features double as teaching tools and a means of wayfinding. The stair treads are smaller to accommodate children, and each side of the stairwell is a different tone to teach students which side to travel on. All classrooms have a different-colored "cloud" above them so a child can easily identify his or her classroom by its color instead of room number.

Sustainable practices are taught through environmental signage and the use of recycled materials. One of the most notable features of the school is the central "Big Room," which features a large play structure and an aquatic play area for children to explore and learn.