Lake Tahoe Early Learning Center

Located in South Lake Tahoe, on the campus of Lake Tahoe Community College, the Early Learning Center is a new home for the Tahoe Parents Nursery School. The new facility replaces the school’s prior home, providing an expanse of space for bright classrooms and outdoor spaces, including an outdoor playground nestled in the woods. After passing through the welcoming yet secure entry, students have access to reading nooks and ample cubby space for coats, hats, and boots. Administrative office and support spaces are placed throughout the school to best support students. Radiant heat flooring provides comfortable play space throughout the year. The CMU walls, sloped, wood-framed roof and colors integrate easily with the alpine setting. A “tree” inside the vestibule and cubby area adds a whimsical nod to the many tall evergreens visible outside the windows. The landscape design complements and fuses seamlessly with the existing natural setting. The building placement kept large existing trees in place to provide shade in the summer. Swales were developed as creek-like elements, making snowmelt and stormwater management appealing elements in the overall design. Regionally appropriate plants were selected for their ability to tolerate weather extremes and require minimal maintenance.