Design for Children's Nursery submitted for Planning

The final design proposal

In a recent article we wrote about how we we have been appointed to prepare proposals for creative alterations and extensions to children's nurseries in the south west. Having presented our proposals for one of the nurseries to the client, we have finalised a design and have now moved onto the planning stage where we will seek planning permission to proceed with construction in the near future.

The primary goal for the project was to maximise the internal floor area of the nursery to accommodate an increasing demand of nursery places for children aged 0 to 5, whilst providing a providing an inspiring new frontage to the building when viewed from the street.

We worked collaboratively with the end-users and managers of the nursery to develop the design and after several iterations to the scheme, we settled on a solution which would provide most effective use of space and value for the client. The final design, pictured at the top of the page, combines:

• a pitched roof and a flat roof which accommodates a clerestory to allow natural light and reduce overlooking from the neighbouring residential dwellings

• a physically larger design to accommodate a future increase in child numbers

• an office overlooking the entrance for safety and welcoming parents and children

• a large window that connects the interior and exterior spaces, providing plenty of shaded natural light fo rthe main classroom spaces.

• an increase in greenery and vegetation around the entrance to engage children upon entering the nursery

We hope to publish further details about the design and progress of the project as it continues to move forward.