What Every Nursery Needs

What Every Nursery Needs Hybrid Part 3 The Sustainable Nursery

‘The answer is the intermediary location in space and time midway between the protection area the family represents and the unprotected space of adult society.

Somewhat akin to the marsupial pouch of a kangaroo, which offer the possibility of looking out at the surroundings from a position of protection as well as the capacity to hide in a luminous interior that insulates itself through a fine skin.’ Eduardo Arroyo

The Marsupial Pouch

‘Human beings are tiny, frail creatures, and architecture must offer them comfort as well as protection.’ Kengo Kuma - Sensing Spaces Exhibition Nowhere is this more true than with young children, who require much more nurture and protection than their older counterparts.

Self Actualisation Esteem Needs Belonging Needs Safety Needs Physiological Needs Maslow’s Pyramid of Needs explains the conditions needed from our surroundings hierarchically

Ancillary Spaces

Concept Model Massing and Zoning

Refectory

Classroom

Sleeping Rooms

Rooftop Play

Porosity

Texture, uniqueness of spaces and interest

General arrangement and interrelationship of spaces. Potential for “playing in the ruins� of demolished Pinstone Street facade

Light, views and orientation

Spatial Requirements Data Taken from “The Nursery Design Guide”, which also states that no more than 26 children may be in a single room for “crowd control”. With higher numbers of children acoustic performance is increasingly important.

0-2

2-3

3-6

3.7m2 /child

2.8m2 /child

2.3m2 /child

The Outdoors

Outdoor space forms an essential element of the sustainable nursery, informing children’s education and benefitting their welfare, through access to light, air and activity. It must also embrace Eduardo Arroyo’s principles of “The Marsupial Pouch”.

‘Nature may appear calm and tranquil, but actually it is much more powerful than anything we a capable of making.’

Kengo Kuma

BEHNISK ARCHITEKTEN’S KINDERGARTEN: Experiential, semi-public play is embraced at different levels in the project.

Accidental encounters with objects inform children’s learning and social interactions

‘The indoors and outdoors should be seen as one integrated zone, with easy run-in-run-out play.’

Nursery Design Guide

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PAUL CHEVALLIER SCHOOL: Rooftop play with semi-intensive green roofs Makes a feature of roof lights - dialogue between classrooms and exterior

Walkways keep children safe, but allow experiences of wildlife.

Roof-top gardens allow protected outdoor play, whilst expereincing nature

Experiential Learning

PRIMARY SCHOOL in BAD BLUMAU Connects spaces, by breaking down thresholds and engaging all areas of the scheme in learning.

ARCHIVISION HIROTANI STUDIO Roof-top play”Little Village” with a number of different “Light Houses”, creating allure for the children and allowing them to explore and hide.

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Engaging The Senses

‘Our spatial imaginations have been developing since we first started exploring the world...’ Kate Goodwin

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Natural materials, which are gentle and un-intimidating to the touch

Exciting design details

Multi-faceted ceiling creates interest and differentiates spaces, giving each a sense of identity.

Chance Encounters

Making The Most Of Intermediate Spaces

NURSERY IN SOUTH AFRICA Uses Multi-faceted ceilings and varying textures and finishes of timber to intrigue interest.

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Negative space generated orthogonal classrooms is used as an intermediary meeting space, forming an important part of childrens interractions with each other.