Alsop & Partners - Fawood Children’s Centre

Alsop Architects
Fawood Children’s Centre
London, UK

The vast shed-like enclosure contains brightly colored classroom units interspersed with protected external play areas.

Photo: Alan Lai/Alsop & Partners

The new Fawood Children’s Centre provides, under one roof, a nursery for 3-5 year olds, nursery facilities for autistic and special needs children, and a Children’s Centre with adult learning services.

The primary structure is a trapezoid shed enclosure, which takes the form of a steel portal frame structure with a deep overhanging roof, formed of a mix of opal polycarbonate roof cladding and bright pink powder-coated profiled steel cladding, on galvanised steel purlins and portal frame.

Photo: Alan Lai/Alsop & Partners

Photo: Roderick Coyne/Alsop & Partners

The “walls” are formed of two types of stainless steel mesh; the lower part of the wall uses a denser mesh to enhance the building security, the upper levels feature curtains of lightweight mesh that are modulated into rippling curves by elliptical coloured acrylic “lozenges”.

Photo: Roderick Coyne/Alsop & Partners

The internal accommodation for the nursery is provided by a number of recycled shipping containers painted in bright colors and decorated with applied artwork.
Three groups of three-storey shipping container structures are connected by walkways, projecting balconies, lift and steel staircases. The containers have been fitted with under-floor heating and simple finishes to provide efficient and low cost classroom space.

Photo: Alan Lai/Alsop & Partners

Photo: Roderick Coyne/Alsop & Partners

A brightly coloured Mongolian Yurt, a canvas tented structure, provides a colourful focus to the interior.

Photo: Roderick Coyne/Alsop & Partners

Designed to be used as outdoor rooms, the spaces between the containers include a piazza with timber decking surrounded by a willow tunnel, a soft play area, a tree house, an outdoor stage area, water gardens and a climbing platform.

Photo: Alan Lai/Alsop & Partners

The roof and the mesh together shelter and secure all the indoor nursery functions, outdoor play areas, and circulation spaces.

The combination of built and adapted internal environments has permitted a rapid construction program, and a flexible response to the demands of the daily activities of very young children, at a relatively low cost.

Drawing courtesy Alsop & Partners
Ground Floor Plan

Drawing courtesy Alsop & Partners
First Floor Floor Plan

Drawing courtesy Alsop & Partners
Section

Total area: 1,220 square meters
Covered play area on ground floor: 430 square meters
Enclosed accommodation on three floors: 620 square meters

Completed: October 2004

Client: Stonebridge Housing Action Trust
Architects: Alsop & Partners
Structural Engineers: Adams Kara Taylor
Mechanical & Electrical Engineers:
Fulcrum Consulting (pre-construction)
Pinnacle Building Services (post-construction)
Project Artist: Joanna Turner
Lighting Designer: Janet Turner
Design and Build Contractor: Durkan Construction

An integral part of the overall masterplan for the Stonebridge estate, in North London, the Fawood Children’s Centre will eventually be sited within a new park in Stonebridge, where it will act as a focal point in the landscape.
Planned demolition of the neighbouring housing blocks will take place in 2007 and a new park will be developed.

Drawing courtesy Alsop & Partners
Proposed Site Plan

June 6, 2005

Alsop & Partners arcspace features





				Features
		Alsop Architects Fawood Children’s Centre London, UK The vast shed-like enclosure contains brightly colored classroom units interspersed with protected external play areas. Photo: Alan Lai/Alsop & Partners The new Fawood Children’s Centre provides, under one roof, a nursery for 3-5 year olds, nursery facilities for autistic and special needs children, and a Children’s Centre with adult learning services. The primary structure is a trapezoid shed enclosure, which takes the form of a steel portal frame structure with a deep overhanging roof, formed of a mix of opal polycarbonate roof cladding and bright pink powder-coated profiled steel cladding, on galvanised steel purlins and portal frame. Photo: Alan Lai/Alsop & Partners Photo: Roderick Coyne/Alsop & Partners The “walls” are formed of two types of stainless steel mesh; the lower part of the wall uses a denser mesh to enhance the building security, the upper levels feature curtains of lightweight mesh that are modulated into rippling curves by elliptical coloured acrylic “lozenges”. Photo: Roderick Coyne/Alsop & Partners Photo: Roderick Coyne/Alsop & Partners The internal accommodation for the nursery is provided by a number of recycled shipping containers painted in bright colors and decorated with applied artwork. Three groups of three-storey shipping container structures are connected by walkways, projecting balconies, lift and steel staircases. The containers have been fitted with under-floor heating and simple finishes to provide efficient and low cost classroom space. Photo: Alan Lai/Alsop & Partners Photo: Roderick Coyne/Alsop & Partners A brightly coloured Mongolian Yurt, a canvas tented structure, provides a colourful focus to the interior. Photo: Roderick Coyne/Alsop & Partners Designed to be used as outdoor rooms, the spaces between the containers include a piazza with timber decking surrounded by a willow tunnel, a soft play area, a tree house, an outdoor stage area, water gardens and a climbing platform. Photo: Alan Lai/Alsop & Partners The roof and the mesh together shelter and secure all the indoor nursery functions, outdoor play areas, and circulation spaces. The combination of built and adapted internal environments has permitted a rapid construction program, and a flexible response to the demands of the daily activities of very young children, at a relatively low cost. Drawing courtesy Alsop & Partners Ground Floor Plan Drawing courtesy Alsop & Partners First Floor Floor Plan Drawing courtesy Alsop & Partners Section Total area: 1,220 square meters Covered play area on ground floor: 430 square meters Enclosed accommodation on three floors: 620 square meters Completed: October 2004 Client: Stonebridge Housing Action Trust Architects: Alsop & Partners Structural Engineers: Adams Kara Taylor Mechanical & Electrical Engineers: Fulcrum Consulting (pre-construction) Pinnacle Building Services (post-construction) Project Artist: Joanna Turner Lighting Designer: Janet Turner Design and Build Contractor: Durkan Construction An integral part of the overall masterplan for the Stonebridge estate, in North London, the Fawood Children’s Centre will eventually be sited within a new park in Stonebridge, where it will act as a focal point in the landscape. Planned demolition of the neighbouring housing blocks will take place in 2007 and a new park will be developed. Drawing courtesy Alsop & Partners Proposed Site Plan June 6, 2005 Alsop & Partners arcspace features