The Children's Garden Early Years Centre at the University of East London has been made from recycled and refurbished building modules, using less than 3 per cent of the energy during construction that a newly manufactured building of the same size would. The technique is considered one of the most sustainable and environmentally efficient methods of construction.
The nursery, which opened in November, caters for university staff, students and the local community and has 49 childcare places. The centre, built by Foremans Relocatable Building Systems, was designed to create a calm and welcoming environment for children aged between three and six. The centre is run on Steiner education principles emphasising the importance of physical, emotional, social and moral well-being as well as academic progress.
Luisa Auletta, director or architects Arts Lettres Techniques said, 'This project had a very short timescale, and using modular construction is a good way of shortening the amount of time required. Recycled buildings are very carbon dioxide-efficient and leave a low carbon footprint. It's a very clever way of completing a sustainable project within a short time frame.
'The design was kept very natural, with no plastic, primary colours and a neutral backdrop. It's a child-centred approach, that's very direct and easy to understand.
'Many nurseries and children's centres can be similar to a doctor's waiting room, but here children have their own entrance, and come out into their own space. All the adult facilities are at the back of the building. '
Meyrav Mor, director of the Children's Garden, said, 'It's a fantastic building. You can see the effects of such a beautiful, natural aesthetic on the children. They are calm, happy and content even when they spend quite a long day here, which might otherwise be overwhelming for them.'