New Forest Nursery

This proposed new-build nursery school for forty children will occupy a stunning site within the New Forest National Park. The site presents a series of environmental and arboricultural challenges from which we have derived a highly bespoke and contextual design response.

The design strategy maximises available outdoor space for teaching and play by keeping the built footprint to a minimum. We also ensured the private and public realms were clearly separated for reasons of security. The building is designed as a contemporary re-interpretation of a timber clad barn which represents the local vernacular. The central barn contains office and ancillary accommodation and is linked to a single-storey teaching space. This space offers a great deal of flexibility with movable partitions allowing separation and complimenting the landscaped activity and teaching zone outside. It also doubles as a community facility outside of nursery hours. A series of tactile, small-scale environments are provided along the main circulation zone which also serve as an additional teaching area.

‘Design ACB have been fantastic in listening to our needs and producing what will be an exceptional building. They have been highly professional to deal with and have successfully negotiated the difficult planning process in the New Forest- which is an achievement in itself.’

Alex White, The Childcare Group Ltd.