Commission by London Borough of Islington for a flexible training/drop-in facility and a new baby facility along Vorley Road
Client: London Borough of Islington
Gross Area: 250 m2
Cost: £230K
Dates: 2002-2003
In 2002 the Islington Education Department/ London Borough of Islington commissioned Kay Hartmann architects to undertake a feasibility study into extending and reorganising the existing Archway Early Years Centre. On completion of the feasibility study the practice was asked to take the recommended option forward to a planning application. This option involved the reorganisation of parts of the existing facilities, relocation of the main entrance and the introduction of a flexible training/drop in facility and a new baby facility in an extension along Vorley Road. It also included refurbishment of the existing covered terrace area and additional external play facilities and associated landscaping works. Funding dictated a phased approach and required the integration of the new and existing facilities in a manner that retained a sensible and logical organisation at each stage. Planning consent was granted in April 2002, following which the council asked the practice to take the scheme forward for construction.
The project was completed in June 2003 and was nominated for the small projects award 2004 and featured in the Architects' Journal in January 2004.
The architects' journal 15/01/04 pg 32-33: Archway Early Years Centre (phase 1), small projects award 2004
photographer: John Sanders