This bespoke nursery building in Shoeburyness replaces the previous Friar’s Nursery on a nearby site and forms the first phase of a larger development that also includes nine new family dwellings. The design comprises a single-storey nursery building facing onto Centurion Close and provides a series of high-quality indoor and outdoor teaching and play spaces for up to 50 local children.
Playrooms open out through full-height glazed windows and doors to the adjoining garden/playground. The entrance is positioned on the southern corner of the building away from its nearest residential neighbours, with the office located adjacent to the entrance to provide passive supervision of all visitors. The building is set back from Centurion Close to align with the neighbouring properties to the north. This setback creates a space in front of the entrance for arriving parents and visitors to meet/wait.
Supporting facilities include an office, a kitchen for the preparation of cooked meals on site, a staff break-out area with kitchenette, toilets, laundry area, baby change and storage areas for toys and equipment. The building has a simple rectilinear form and a flat roof, with a sloping section of roof over the main play spaces creating a surprisingly spacious internal room with high level ‘clerestory’ windows along the eastern side capturing morning light and promoting good cross-ventilation. The flat roof extends to the east and west sides of the building to create a canopy over a waiting area at the front and a covered external terrace at the back so play can spill outside on rainy days.
This flexible, functional, and much-needed new community facility has also delivered a measure of delight within the constraints to a very strict programme and budget.