Evesham Nursery

Year: 2011
Client: Worcestershire County Council

We worked closely with the school to create a new facility that allows them to build upon their established excellence in early years provision.

The design takes influences from a number of sources including Reggio Emilia and Danish Pre Schools. The design concept takes the school kitchen and places it at the heart of the building, opening it out into the teaching and group spaces. The kitchen performs both educational and lunch provision role. The main nursery and wraparound spaces adopt a flexible open plan form with smaller group, social and withdrawal areas leading off the main space. The School and Head’s offices connect directly with these spaces to ensure that everyone feels part of the main activity areas. Floor and wall space flexibility are further enhanced by the use of underfloor heating, which is run from an air source heat pump.

The design combines the school’s aspirations for inspirational and creative spaces with sustainable design goals.

The project won the ‘Distinction in Community Architecture Award’ at the 2011 Wychavon District Council Building Design Awards and was shortlisted for the 2012 RIBA Architecture WM Awards.