The Learning Experience – Academy of Early Education in Austin, Texas, was developed to provide a safe and nurturing daycare environment for young children. Wytex BTS, the developer and builder, led the project, addressing complex site challenges and stringent regulations while prioritizing the needs of young users.
Wytex BTS collaborated with Jarmel Kizel Architects, Blair Landscape Architecture, and Westward, a partnership crucial for optimizing the building’s placement to ensure watershed compliance and preservation of mature trees. The team took great care in every phase of design, development, and construction, resulting in a unique campus that cultivates an innovative learning environment.
Westward’s scope of work included site layout, paving, grading, fire protection, utilities, and stormwater management. Westward secured a Site Plan permit from the City of Austin and a Water Pollution Abatement Plan from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), ensuring full compliance with local and state regulations. Each element was meticulously planned to create an accessible, safe, and compliant facility, with the building’s placement to meet watershed and tree preservation requirements. Through thoughtful design and effective collaboration, Westward and its partners created a 10,000 square foot daycare that harmonizes safety, functionality, and resource conservation, providing an ideal environment for early education.
One of the goals of the project was to maximize parking while adhering to strict daycare regulations for safe ingress and egress and a secure playground area. Tree preservation was also a priority, but no trees could be placed within the playground to avoid hazards. Our team strategically designed the site to meet these goals, positioning landscape trees to comply with Austin’s parking lot shading requirements while keeping the playground safe for children.
The site posed unique challenges. Austin’s tree preservation ordinances demanded multiple design iterations to save as many trees as possible. The property spanned two watersheds with different impervious cover limits, requiring detailed calculations to maintain watershed integrity. Most of the site couldn’t connect to the existing storm drain, so Westward designed a stormwater pond with vertical concrete walls and a lift station to manage runoff. We also navigated a landscape easement, a water transmission easement, and a city water tower, optimizing the limited usable land.
Child safety guided every design decision. Roof downspouts were connected to an underground storm drain feeding a water quality pond, with no inlets in the playground or
high-traffic areas. The playground was graded to meet ADA accessibility standards, ensuring an inclusive space. Short retaining walls created tree wells with area inlets for runoff, preserving trees while keeping pavement level. Fenced classroom-to-playground transitions and adequate playground space further met daycare-specific regulations.
We also introduced cost-saving measures by eliminating the need for a second stormwater pond. By reducing drainage to one watershed and using vegetative filter strips for water quality, we lowered costs while aligning with Austin’s environmental goals, demonstrating our commitment to sustainable and efficient solutions.
This project stands out due to the complexity of its stormwater and water quality design, driven by Austin’s regulations and TCEQ guidelines. The innovative use of a pond with vertical walls and a lift station addressed space constraints effectively. Vance Houy, PE, Westward’s VP of Engineering and project lead, stated: “Each project presents distinct challenges. Through creative approaches and collaboration, we deliver impactful, sustainable solutions that fulfill our clients’ goals.” The Learning Experience – Academy of Early Education reflects the power of thoughtful engineering and teamwork.
