Formed from the merging of two practices, architecture:nw and fleming james architects, CoARC provides a flexible and adaptable service to our clients through a collaborative approach.
CoARC is an RIBA Chartered Practice, and you can find out more here.
The conversion and extension of the old shirley library building is the second project completed by a:nw for the natural childcare company.
The building has four main nursery rooms converted from the old library building and able to cater for up to 90 children from babies to preschool. The existing accommodation additionally houses some support spaces and the new children's wc facilities.
The new extension creates a new welcoming fully accessible entrance with secure lobby, reception office, staff room, manager's office and the 'play plaza'. The latter room being a flexible, adaptable space for group play and learning. The challenge was to arrive at a light and airy building despite the previous deep plan accommodation and the need to create partitions throughout and thereby removing the existing double outlook of most of the spaces. a:nw has used roof lights, creative internal and external fenestration together with glazed screens to allow light to pass through to even the most internal of spaces. A view out is possible from virtually everywhere in the building.
The conversion of car park to outdoor play area with decked area catering for the 600mm difference in floor to ground level provides further opportunities for creative play and learning and amongst other things includes a growing bed, story tree, mud kitchen and soft surface.
The modern design of the extension compliments the 1950s architecture of the original building, and sympathetic but differing materials create a new expression for the rejuvenated building. Bright colours are used internally (derived from the company logo) to accentuate spaces and draw the eye through the building. Different colours are also used to represent the age groups, and are used to enliven the toilet areas. The colour scheme was developed at the bentley manor project and carried through to this project. The finishes are designed to be hardwearing with minimal on-going maintenance where possible.
Existing features in the original building such as the skylights have been given a new lease of life and retained or used as up-lit features in the ceilings.
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All photographs taken by Nick.