Maryland Children’s Centre
2006–2007

Date
2006–2007

Name Of Project
Maryland Children’s Centre

Client’s Name
London Borough of Newham

Category
Learning

Fluid was appointed in the summer of 2005 to develop detailed designs for a new Early Years Centre located at Maryland Primary School in Stratford, East London for the London Borough of Newham.

The client required a new facility for use by the school and early years service to replace a dilapidated two-classroom mobile. Our response was to propose an environment that is playful, fun and an enjoyable place for both children and staff to be.

The new facility was procured under a ‘design and build’ procurement route. Fluid was initially appointed by LBN as Lead Consultant before becoming Design Leader by consultant switch to the Contractor.

In addition to the architectural services normally expected at precontract stage, Fluid were required to carry out key brief development and feasibility studies to support LBN’s funding applications for the project. The brief required that the new building accommodate a daycare nursery, a classroom and a training room, for dual use by the school and the early years service and provide external playspace.

The building wraps a pre-engineered, panellised, timber building system in translucent orange and lime-green GRP cladding, and allows children to see beyond the outer skin through to the ‘nuts and bolts’ of the building.

The new facility includes a full-time daycare room, training room and classroom as well as office and reception areas. The flexible design enables the building to be used by both the Forest Gate Early Years Service and Maryland Primary School.

Other design features include two generous canopies that encourage outdoor activity, circular roof lights that bring natural light into the centre of the building and an external landscape scheme and play area that animates the adjacent residential street.

The timber building system offers a building solution that combines off site and fast track construction, sustainability, best value and lower life cycle costs.