London, United Kingdom
Delve have converted a commercial shell unit into a new flagship 300 square meters children’s nursery in East London near the Thames Barrier.
The architects developed the nursery design with natural materials, finishes, and sustainable products in mind, to create an internal environment that aligns with the teaching methodology and ethos of the nursery.
A large garden with multi-sensory spaces, surfaces, and play equipment with full-width bifold doors connects the nursery to the garden, creating a multi-functional indoor/outdoor teaching space – a rare opportunity for open play space in the urban context.
A new mezzanine is designed to create a focused play area on the upper level for the older children, with the double-height space serving as the main hub of the nursery school.
A sculptural timber stair runs through the double-height space, with the handrail forming the balustrade at the mezzanine level.
Colorful timber cladding forms the guarding on the balustrade and a safe viewing platform for the children to below.
Delve use exposed services and the existing concrete soffit as the ceiling finish, to both retain thermal mass – and create an interesting play between the natural tactile surfaces at low areas, and the ‘industrial’ feel of the services at high levels.
Project: The Nest Nursery
Architects: Delve Architects
Client: The Nest
Photographers: Fred Howarth
