FishergatenurseryPrecedentstudies

One of the main things that I like about this kindergarten is the use of colour to distinguish the separate areas of the nurs-ery. The use of colour within the scheme helps it to become an inviting place for the children to recognise. At such a young age it is difficult to define different things, using this scheme (which has been things, using this scheme (which has been proven to be most stimulating towards younger minds) gives the users a clear idea of which area they will be in. Another aspect of this design which is simple yet effective is the overall layout of the plan. The “H” like plan separates the ser-vice spaces from the learning/care section of the nursery, yet at the same time it also provides a central area for the chil-dren to have outside space as shown in the picture at the top.

One of the biggest problems that I see with this design is the materials. Even though the use of glass provides high visibility for the carers to keep an eye on the chil-dren and also adds to the experience of bringing the outside, in, I do see a hazard with the children and glass. The amount of times that a child would mistake it for an times that a child would mistake it for an open doorway or path and end up running into it would be uncountable. The finger marks and greasy stains that you would get on the internal and external glass would also spoil the prime condition of the building.

I have already considered colour as a main area of my design and I think that using colour as a stimulator for the children to learn and define sections within the build-ing is a good aspect to take out of this precedent.

This kindergarten in Japan has been produced using a grid like system (as shown below). The architect wanted to produce a natural looking structure that helped free up the space within the building. I think the choice of materials within this helps as the natural feel about the helps as the natural feel about the timber gives a protective feeling.

The main thing that I like about this building is the fact that the architect has tried to free up space and help scale it down so that the children feel secure, but at the same time it doesn't restrict their thinking. A quote from the architect “Restrained architecture can influ“Restrained architecture can influ-ence the occupants and restrain thinking”. I think the choice of natural materials helps convey the process behind this thinking because of the natural timber. Another key element within the design is the shape and form of the structural work. These “pods” enclose the caring space and make the children feel safe. The building size also helps the children’s minds because it isn't of an overwhelming scale. The curvature of the structure en-closes the space around it and is more subtle than just a standard box shaped building.

The main focus of this architect was to produce a very aesthetically pleasing, functional, yet low tech building for El-leray Preparatory School in Windermere. One of my main positive viewpoints of the project is the use of the materials. Which are mostly recycled where the pro-ject is still architecturally aware after upcycling. The main structure is compro-mised of a ribbed timber frame, clad in English chestnut shingles which are el-evated on Douglas-fir stilts. The use of materials, such as the deck which con-nects the three rooms is made of recycled plastic milk bottles and wood shavings, which is used as an outdoor classroom within the summer months. These choice of materials are admirable, becoming a very low impact material which fits into the surroundings of the Lake district coun-tryside.

However, some of the main negative points about the design was the budget and time-scale that the project took. Even though this is out of the architects hands, it is the council’s issue due to them fund-ing the project. I also think that the buildings themselves aren't the greatest in size, scale wise. I think this has been down to budget, but I would have liked to have seen each of the pods to be of a bigger scale so that they could house more students and art exhibitions outside the term time months.

This building located on Lake Constance consists of irregular concrete structure enveloped in glass. A note from the ar-chitect “ The irregular structure of the concrete elements is set off against the regular rectangular shapes of the sheets of glass,” say the architects.  “The randomness of the glass decoration randomness of the glass decoration avoids too sharp a contrast between the core and the envelope.”

There are many unique features about this design which are to be admired. How the irregular form of the concrete con-trasts to the sleek glass. The use of different coloured LED’s within the en-velope of the building is very clever and the effect that it produces at different times in the day. At night time when the LED’s are in full illumination, they stand out against the calm backdrop of the boating scene. During the day, the natural light of the sun penetrates the glass and against the concrete structure which produces some interest-ing shapes.

However, this can also be its downside. The building itself doesn't fit into the surroundings. The use of LED’s will be very cost consuming in comparison to the use of natural light. Even if the multi-ple use of colour is something that is a very interesting and unique concept. I think the use of concrete for the shapes think the use of concrete for the shapes of the structure is also admirable but at the same time, out of place. The building itself looks like it should be lighting up some urban space within a large capital city. Instead it is work-ing in a lake, which the reflection of the building does produce some fantastic images, but lacking something special.

The key aspect within this design which I think has the most impact are the moveable walls. These two walls are hinged on a pole and can rotated 360 degrees, this opens up new oppor-tunities and ideas for the carers, who may need to alter space or posi-tions for activities. The walls them-selves can be manipulated in ways which allows for a variety of skills and fun times for the children. As shown above in the picture, one child has actually climbed into the hole in the wall. A bench has also been pulled down from within the wall so that the children can lie or sit on it. Another positive taken from this design is the integration of the toys/playing surfaces into the “play-ing walls” so that it frees up floor space and allows the area to be clear of most clutter. The architect has designed these walls so that they can be manipulated and make spaces bigger or smaller depending on the demand of the day.

One of the negative’s of the design is also the “playing walls”, even though they are versatile and provide the children with the means of enjoy-ment, the safety side of the design has been compromised slightly. The walls themselves provide very low visibility because of their height. visibility because of their height. These walls must also be manned with carers to ensure that each child is using the playing surfaces correctly and securely.

I quite like the idea of walls and surfaces that you can manipulate freely so that activities and actions that the children do are not repeti-tive. The uniqueness of each surface in their forms and opportunities are also key to the design. The shapes and holes can be used for storage, and holes can be used for storage, yet also provides play space for the children.

COLOUR

Els Colour KindergartenArchitect: RCR ArchitectsLocation: Manlleu, Barcelona

SCALE

Bubbletecture Maihara KindergartenArchitect: Shuhei Endo Architects

Location: Maihara, Japan

MATERIALS

Forest SchoolArchitect: Robert GaukrogerLocation: Lake District, UK

LIGHT

NordwesthausArchitect: Baumschlager EberieLocation: Fussach, Austria

SPACE

Two KindergartensArchitect: 70o N ArkitekturLocation: Tromso, Norway