Description

This three-storey children’s centre replaces a range of existing accommodation which was past its useful life. Based on ‘Sure Start’ principles, the architects have adopted a form typical of these designers but very unusual for this type of building. Whilst most children’s architecture is somewhat serious, focusing on security and hygiene, the style here is light-hearted, decorative and relaxed. Although it is called a Children’s Centre, in the strict definition it is part of the school system providing sessional educare for pre-schoolers rather than full blown wrap around daycare although there are plans to extend the range of provision. At present the ground and first floor are for the nursery, the second floor is the children’s centre element including adult learning facilities and a base for community education workers. The entire children’s centre can be hired out separately by community groups when the nursery is closed. Overall capacity comprises 45 mainstream children plus 10 with special educational needs.

The architectural idea was simple, a large box containing and enclosing smaller boxes, with specific feature activity areas sitting within the enclosure at ground floor level like a kind of enclosed landscape garden. These areas include nursery accommodation in the form of a Mongolian yurt structure, a soft cocoon of robust fabric with a temporary feel which is very child friendly, a circular piazza with an enclosing willow structure which is ideal for social activity, a water area, a cycle track and a soft play zone. A number of mature trees have been planted which add to the sense that this is actually an outside garden play space, which because it is enclosed is much more usable than the average city nursery garden. The smaller boxes are industrial containers, adapted for use in this special setting, which appear to be stacked up one on top of the other. The large container is essentially a shed, which apart from the decorative elements (and proposed climbing plants) has a robust industrial feel.

Like many architectural concepts, what began as a simple idea to achieve economy through the use of ready-made units of accommodation, has actually increased costs and caused delays in the completion of the building contract. However, like any innovative idea, the end result was worth the wait. The containers have a stimulating effect on the environment, the inside/outside concept is very attractive for young children, perhaps less so for teachers and carers trying to keep control. The whole scheme is idiosyncratic enough for the containers to feel at home. The outer box is decorated with large red pendants which hang dramatically down from an otherwise simple industrial type shed architecture. It is an effective balancing act, an architecture which is on the one hand secure and sheltering and on the other open and welcoming, a sort of jewel in this otherwise grey landscape. It is a powerful statement about the rights of young children for their own specially designed environments.

---

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