This visionary project for Newtec
College in Stratford, East London, opened in January 2004. The client
brief was for a building that exemplified a model for Childcare Centres.
The building is a centre both for family support and training in childcare activities.
It provides a 60 place day nursery
on the ground floor, with teaching, conference and office space on the
upper floors.
The building has created a landmark on a tight derelict site, and has become
an important focal point for community and childcare activities. The site occupies
the corner of a Victorian urban block most recently occupied by a single storey
portakabin nursery. The architectsÍ approach to the site strategy was to recreate
the urban block, forming an L shaped building that addresses the adjacent street
pattern and forming a protected SW facing garden. The main entrance to the building
is on a pedestrian route leading onto Mark Street.
The building has four storeys, covering the length of the site, with a basement
area providing plant rooms, archive storage and parking
The Nursery space on the Ground floor has been
designed to create a contrast between the smaller spaces in which children are
nurtured and feel safe and supported, and the larger south facing free play area
where children can explore and play adventurous games. The free play area responds
to the time of day and year by the shadows of shapes etched into the south facing
double height glazing, which opens up to give free access to the enclosed garden.
Dividing walls between the free play and home areas are wall-to-ceiling storage
units creating access for the children at lower level and secure access for
carers above.
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