Description

The design is predicated on a detailed understanding of the existing context, taking cues from the urban scale of a worn-down public housing estate built in the 1960s. In addition, working closely with the present head of centre, the design extends the concept of ‘building upon qualities’; by seeking to understand more detailed aspects of current childcare practices which work for children and carers, then extending these principles into a completely new environment for care and education. Through this osmotic process, an architecture has emerged which is new and inspiring, but at the same time one which has familiar qualities. This enables the users to feel comfortable and at home in their new setting. It is a subtle balance.

The building form is a pavilion built into a secure enclosed courtyard. The courtyard provides a natural heart to the school, encouraging a sense of well-being and belonging which is focused on the garden. The flat plain of the roof extends out into the garden, which thus has a practical dimension providing a large area of covered outside play area. This powerful architectural device has a symbolic effect, encouraging children to go out and explore, through its expressive horizontality. This effect is further accentuated by the use of clearstory glazing. The roof appears to float above its heavy stone walls. There are integral external storage cupboards and full-height openable window door panels throughout which further extend this rugged inside/outside quality. A new steel frame supports a profiled metal roof approximately 800 millimetres above the walls of the original nursery building. This raised height is infilled with new clearstory glazing. This principle was extended to the areas of new build to allow for continuous natural light to all areas which is almost devoid of glare.

There is little applied colour within the building, rather the intention was to provide an even, almost neutral backdrop for the children and their artistic output. This approach to the architecture is taken further with the use of natural materials throughout. The external enclosure of insulated stud is clad with dry stone walling to the street which builds on the qualities of an existing drystone garden wall. Render is used elsewhere on the garden elevations. The plan is split into two, providing the main nursery accommodation for 3-5 year old children on the west garden side and younger children on the east street side. The two wings are divided by a glazed courtyard and library which seems to draw the garden into the building’s heart. This architectural clarity is calming and helps young children to orientate themselves in the institution.

This small building was part of a UK government initiative to encourage imaginative thinking about design for early years and special needs. The development sought to create a distinctive centre for other early years providers within a run-down and dislocated urban quarter adjacent to the M66. The notion of building ‘signature architecture’ as part of a regeneration strategy was unusual in the locality and has had a galvanising effect on the community at large; the building has become something of a reference point for early years institutions across the region and a source of pride amongst many people in the area.

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Originally published in: Mark Dudek, Schools and Kindergartens: A Design Manual, Birkhäuser, 2015.