Boston – RDK Engineers (RDK) recently celebrated the ribbon cutting for the new Earl Center for Learning and Innovation at Wheelock College. RDK’s project team led by RDK Principal Chris Hildreth joined with design team William Rawn Associates, construction manager Lee Kennedy Co. and many faculty members, students, and alumni of Wheelock College to celebrate the new facility’s official opening.
For years the Elementary Education Department had expressed a need for a place within the College where students and faculty could learn to apply concepts explored in course work in a hands-on environment. In 1967 they were given the cramped basement of an old classroom building. Even though it wasn’t the home they were hoping for, the workspace was still cherished by the Wheelock education community.
Today that home gets a little less cramped. The Wheelock faculty and students are now able to combine the timeless educational methods used since 1967 with innovative technologies for learning and teaching in the new Earl Center. Karen Worth, Chair of the Elementary Education Department at Wheelock College, emotionally expressed her appreciation of the department’s vision coming to life, “In this new space we all have a home to put our theories into practice.”
RDK Engineers provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection engineering services on the new three-story addition that greatly expands the potential of the old Resource Center. The 10,000 SF addition is laid out as one large, open space on the first floor with a flexible design allowing sections to be closed off for use as a private classroom or workshop space. The second floor will house new faculty offices and the new Alumni Center will occupy the third floor.