Meadows Nursery - RIBA North East Award Nomination

After an incredible week for the Practice we were extremely pleased to hear our children’s day nursery building for Meadows Nursery in Northumberland is one of seven buildings shortlisted for an RIBA North East Architectural Award.

Our scheme based around three ‘houses’ for different age groups seeks to reflect the nature of the agricultural buildings it replaced, whilst nestling discreetly into its rural landscape.

Natural materials were implemented inside and out to create a building and series of spaces that feel harmonious with the context.

There is a strong belief by the Nursery provider that children should experience the outdoors as much as possible and in all weathers. The building thus seeks to drive a connection between the safe internal environment, protected behind rugged stone walls, and the rolling hills and fields beyond.

Each ‘house’ is subtly different whilst being part of a coherent whole. This allows children a new environment as they progress through the spaces over time.

The project is the culmination of a long collaboration with an extremely focused and strong willed client over many years, and is fantastic to see completed and enjoyed by all its junior residents.