SCALA Civic Building of the Year Competition, 2007

Commended

South Tyneside Council
Garrick Street Surestart

The site of the existing Garrick Street nursery was selected to enhance the already strong local user group. The building was completely refurbished and extended to give an L-shaped 635m2 plan wrapping around the outdoor play area.

The decision to make a vivid demarcation of function was facilitated by the blue division wall. The idea came from the need to blend with the neighbouring terraced housing in terms of reducing the mass and scale of the new extension.

Conversely, some identification of the building was also needed so a balance between recognition and blending had to be achieved. This has been achieved and has, through a vivid colour scheme, become one of the project’s enduring features.

Visual interest is key to stimulating young minds and this building has features such as sloping walls, curvy roofs bright colours and items that are in scale with the young users.

The children definitely approve!

 

Architect:

South Tyneside Council

Quantity Surveyor:

South Tyneside Council

Mechanical and Electrical Engineer:

South Tyneside Council

Structural Engineer:

Parsons Brinckerhoff

Main Contractor:

Rok Group

Landscape Architect:

South Tyneside Council