The new Pickwick Early Childhood Center provides a vibrant and exciting new learning environment for Ottumwa Community School’s district wide early education program. This facility centralizes programs offered in other buildings around the district, and creates an efficient and modern platform from which to launch the children’s journey of discovery.
A collaborative design process and close working relationship with the district’s staff, gave form to this 45,000 SF new building, designed to house 400 students. The facility is grouped into three wings organized around an outdoor playground space. Along with classrooms, each wing also incorporates an open collaborative learning area for students and staff to work in small groups outside the classroom. An open cafeteria overlooks the outdoor playground through large windows that bring natural light into the space.