St. Aubyn’s School Nursery and Staff Accommodation, Woodford Green
Type: Educational
Size: Square Feet 500sqm / 5381sqft
Location: Woodford Green, IG8 9DU
District Council: Redbridge
Service: Architectural Service
Project Team Architects: Martyn Pattie & Bilal Malik
Structural Engineer & CDM Consultant: Thomasons
Contractor: Kind & Co
Building Control: Assent Building Control
Project Brief
MP Chartered Architects were commissioned to transform the early years part of St. Aubyn’s School in Woodford Green by demolishing an outdated single-storey nursery and replacing it with a two-storey building. The ground floor would house a modern nursery and reception area, while the first floor would feature two self-contained flats for live in school staff. The goal was to create a high-quality learning environment that would inspire young students starting their academic journey while ensuring staff housing was comfortable and functional.
Project Goals
Nursery and Reception Design:
Provide two purpose-built classrooms to cater to the needs of curious, enquiring children aged three onwards. Design spaces that inspire awe, wonder, and promote well-being with a focus on sustainability and low maintenance. Integrate specific learning objectives, emphasising literacy, numeracy, and social interaction. Foster a nurturing environment where children can develop a love of learning inside and outside.
Staff Accommodation:
Create two self-contained flats on the first floor with modern amenities to provide a comfortable living space for school staff. Ensure the flats were separated from the nursery to provide privacy and tranquility. Create the living spaces in a way that they could be used for external rental value creating an additional income for the school if necessary.
Challenges
Limited Space and Dual Functionality:
The building needed to accommodate both a nursery and residential spaces without compromising on either’s functionality or aesthetics.
Balancing Aesthetics with Practicality:
Ensuring that the internal and external learning environment was visually stimulating, yet practical and safe for young children.
Regulatory and Safety Requirements:
Compliance with stringent building codes and regulations for educational and residential spaces. Designing a child-friendly space while ensuring the safety and privacy of residents in the upper flats
Solutions
Innovative Space Planning:
A compact, yet open floor plan was designed to maximise natural light and ventilation in both the nursery and residential areas. Clear separation between the nursery on the ground floor and the residential units above ensured privacy without sacrificing space.
Holistic Learning Environment:
Classrooms were designed with flexible layouts to inspire creativity and exploration.
Interactive areas such as reading nooks, group workstations, and play zones were integrated to encourage both independent and collaborative learning. Creation of a covered outdoor learning and play area enabling the use of outdoor space in all weathers Large windows created a bright and airy environment conducive to learning and well-being. Outdoor play areas were seamlessly connected to the classrooms, offering an extension of the learning space.
Compliance and Safety:
The design met all health and safety standards, incorporating child-safe materials and secure access points for staff and students. A zinc roof was installed adding a low maintenance and sustainability focus to the project
Results
The completed project provided a beautiful, stimulating, and nurturing special space where children could embark on their academic journey with joy and curiosity. The nursery promoted a strong foundation in literacy, numeracy, and social skills while fostering a love of learning. The first-floor flats offered comfortable, modern accommodations MP Chartered Architects successfully balanced functionality with aesthetics, creating a dual-purpose building that met the needs of the school community.
Conclusion
MP Chartered Architects’ design of St. Aubyn’s School in Woodford Green stands as a testament to thoughtful, purpose-driven architecture. By addressing the unique needs of both students and staff, the project delivered a vibrant, functional, and inspiring space that serves as the perfect starting point for children’s educational journeys.
