Project Details
Abonmarche was a key member on the project team that developed this KinderCare facility on Whirlpool Corporation’s World Headquarters Campus.
Abonmarche was responsible for managing the entitlement and planning process, leading the civil engineering work as well as the project’s landscape architect charged with creating a site that both blended with the surrounding campus and resulted in a site that created both outdoor play and educational opportunities. The resulting project has set a new bar for educational centers in West Michigan. The site plan focused on merging accessibility with functionality.
Accessible walkways meander throughout the site with covered shade structures, nature themed play equipment with accessible, low maintenance artificial turf, musical equipment, raised garden beds, and story telling seating areas for all user groups. There are two tricycle paths and storage facilities for recreational equipment.
The detention area was designed to have the appearance of a natural pond and landscaping around the pond which includes birch, red maple, red twig and yellow twig plantings and ornamental grasses and native perennials to enhance the natural feel of the site. The plantings surrounding the building create a low maintenance mowing strip. All plant material was selected to create seasonal interest throughout the year while being non-toxic, thorn-less and clear of visual obstruction to the children within the facility.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Site & Civil Design
- Detention Pond Design
- Landscape Design
- Playground Development
- Sculpture Committee
- ADA Parking & Access throughout the site
ADDITIONAL INFO:
- https://www.kindercare.com/employer-sponsored-child-care/resources/case-studies/whirlpool?CID=20487669516&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&device=c&utm_term=&matchtype=&utm_campaign=20487669516&utm_adgroup=152834932476&utm_content=671284791037&utm_geo_interest=&utm_geo=9016275&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2uOBmdigggMVQyutBh1a6wdoEAAYASAAEgKYI_D_BwE – Kindercare – n.d.
- https://www.whirlpoolcareers.com/the-eddy/ – Whirlpool Careers – n.d.
- https://www.kc-learning.com/newsroom/articles/the-eddy-takes-a-bow-as-new-whirlpool-childcare-center – KinderCare – n.d.
- https://www.moodyonthemarket.com/the-eddy-takes-a-bow-as-new-whirlpool-childcare-center/ – Moody on the Market – August 22, 2019
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191024005314/en/KinderCare-and-Whirlpool-Open-New-Onsite-Childcare-Center – Business Wire – October 24, 2019