Potter + Holmes were approached by a community group in Islington to design a nursery building to be constructed by trainees and volunteers and meet a pressing local need.
There was a strong 'eco' element to the brief, which led to:
- The simple square plan to minimise the external wall to floor area and consequent heat loss
- Locating the principal rooms on the south to maximise the benefit of pass solar gain
- Deep roof overhangs to prevent summer overheating
- Service rooms to the north and access from the street to the east
- Timber frame construction (low embodied energy material)
- Recycled newspaper insulation
- Grass roof
- Organic paints used throughout
