Agar Children's Centre

This new centre provides 66 day care places and community facilities. The design is articulated as two elements fused together with a central courtyard. The community block is at the front of the site and is nicknamed the ?Avocado?. The day care is at the rear and is nicknamed the ?horseshoe?. The initial design brief centred on Reggio Emilia principles of educating. The ?avocado? being very much about form and material has a secure brick frontage protecting the young users in the day-care but has a squashy and colourful interior to draw the community in. It provides spaces for training, drop in, meetings, and office facilities for health and education staff. Glazed bricks are scattered into the elevation together with colourful window surrounds creating a playful effect. The ?horseshoe? is more tectonic and offers clarity of structure with exposed timber visible internally and externally. This element wraps around the back of the avocado and accommodates the day care learning spaces linked via an interactive circulation space. The new centre has a strong green agenda incorporating a green roof. Prior to submitting full planning application, we undertook numerous consultations events with different stakeholders including a local open evening. We recently received a Special recognition from the Civic Trust Awards National Panel for their strong community initiative and for the positive impact on the people they serve.