East Maine Early Learning Center

The New Early Learning Center: First Steps Preschool in Des Plaines, Illinois, was designed with innovation and nature in mind.

This public preschool provides a research-based curriculum program for at-risk, community, and special education students.The classroom’s design focuses on collaborative and experiential learning. The school includes dynamic spaces to support STEM-based concepts including 14 learning studios, learning hubs, sensory rooms, calm rooms, gross motor skills room, and the library.

Acoustical treatments and sound isolation for each room type were taken into consideration dependent upon the needs of the students and educators. This design included several flexible spaces with vaulted ceilings and extensive windows. Speech intelligibility in classrooms, especially with these greater volume spaces, is a top priority for successful instruction and communication.

Soundscape consulted on the room acoustics, sound isolation, and mechanical system noise control to ensure that the completed project would best support an early educational environment.