Discovery Meadows Child Development Center

Discovery Meadows Child Development Center’s mission is to provide safe, high-quality onsite childcare to the children of employees and local families. Working closely with a client focus group, the team prioritized connecting children to nature and creating a curriculum centered on exploring and understanding the natural world.

Nature was the leading influence while designing Discovery Meadows. The curved building frames the forested area and the outdoor play areas can be accessed by every classroom in the facility. It features an expansive natural outdoor play and learning area and innovative ground source heating and cooling, including radiant heat and cooling.

Discovery Meadows was completed in 2017 and achieved LEED® Platinum Certification. In 2018, the project earned the K-12 Education Award of Merit from Engineering News Record Mid-Atlantic. In 2020, the project was awarded Innovative Project of the Year – New Construction, Commercial from USGBC National Capital Region.

View the interior area.

Selected Photography by Ulf Wallin