See the Work
Vintage Creek Learning Center
A new community learning center in the heart of an established apartment community
“This is the center of this community — where people can learn English, look for a job, learn to manage their money, and make sure their kids have a safe place to go when school’s out.”
— Walter Moreau, Executive Director, Foundation Communities
Based on its understanding that it takes more than just affordable housing to make the families they serve successful, Foundation Communities has created community learning centers at all of its apartment communities. One such community is Trails at Vintage Creek, which offers one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes in a wooded, residential neighborhood in northeast Austin. The new, on-site learning center features a computer lab, kitchen, offices, staff workroom, and multiple activity rooms, and offers free after-school and summer programs for kids, as well as classes in English, money management, homeownership and GED for adults.
Rose Fellow Michael Gatto worked with Foundation Communities’ staff architect John Rickard to produce the construction documents for this new learning center in-house with the help of a CAD contractor. Michael also followed through with bidding, construction contract negotiation and construction administration.
This building was designed and constructed according to the City of Austin’s Green Building Program commercial rating system and was one of the last projects to receive a sustainability bonus from the city. Since this is Foundation Communities’ largest learning center to date, it has been able to accommodate offices for caseworkers for Katrina evacuees. It is also the venue for the Open Minds Project, a college level humanities class offered free, and with free child care, to parents.
Gallery
(hover over image to zoom)
by Foundation Communities
South façade
by Foundation Communities
West façade
by Foundation Communities
Main entrance
by Foundation Communities
Main activity room
by Foundation Communities
Snacks are served for the children’s programs in this kitchen
by Foundation Communities
Grand opening celebration in the main activity room
Project Summary
- Location:
- Austin, Texas
- Program Scope
- Community learning center (4,851 sq ft)
- Project Status
- Completed, March 2005
- Location:
- Austin, Texas
- Project Scope
- 4,851 sq ft gross site area
- New construction
- 2 stories
- 4,851 sq ft gross project area
- Program Scope
- Community learning center (4,851 sq ft)
- Green Benchmarks
- City of Austin Green Building Program Commercial Rating Tool
- Cost
758,144 Hard (construction) 87,789 Soft (all other) 845,933 TOTAL - Project Status
- Completed, March 2005
