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Estates

Campus Timeline:
Nursery (2008)

Photo of the Nursery
The Estates Office's work on the campus nursery has recieved a commendation from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
  • Next to the lake so the children can watch the ducks and swans.
  • Can accommodate up to 78 children.
  • The central atrium uses large north lights that automatically open to vent the space, creating a light and airy environment.
  • The building has a modular design. It was delivered to the site in sections, after being pre-assembled at the factory.

The choice of location of the nursery was praised for its "views of the lake and surrounding landscape", and because the positioning of the nursery at the meeting point of well-used footpaths "enliven[s] the campus." The design of the building was commended for its "flexible internal arrangement", which allows the nursery to expand into the café space when needed. This comes as part of RIBA's Small Budget Big Impact project, which aims to celebrate "small projects which have a significant positive impact on life in universities".


Essential Information

Start & Finish dates June 2008 - April 2009
Funded by University
Budget £1.75M
Requested by Student Development and Support Services
Managed by Estates Office
Architects MJP Architects Ltd.
Quantity Surveyors Nisbet LLP (now Sweett (UK) Ltd.)
Mechanical Engineers Estates Office
Electrical Engineers Estates Office
Structural Engineers Britspace Modular Building Ltd.
Main Contractor Britspace Modular Building Ltd.
Landscaping Churchman Landscape Architects Ltd.

Statistics

Basic Building Cost £2,350/m2
Gross Floor Area 742m2
Total Area of Site 0.47 hectares
Function Areas and Their Size
Nursery

Manager's Office: 12.4
Administrative Office: 10.5
Homebase Small Babies: 22.3
Homebase Older Babies: 44.1
Homebase Toddlers: 44.1
Homebase 2 years old: 61.3
Homebase 3-4 years old: 58.1
Babies Sleep Room: 17.5
Milk Kitchen: 4.6
Nappy Change: 4.6
Quiet Room: 11.2
Children WC/Nappy Change (x2): 30.8
Shared Play Area: 68.0
Manager’s Office: 12.4
Administrative Office: 10.5
Staff Room: 16.3
Nursery Kitchen: 12.1
Laundry: 4.8
WCs (x2): 4.8
Disabled WC: 4.1
Services and District Heating Intake: 5.0
Cleaners: 1.1

Social space

Café and Children Centre: 87.3
Servery: 6.2
Kitchen: 8.4
Vending Machines: 10.0
Ladies WC: 14.4
Gents WC: 12.7
Disabled WC: 3.7
Cleaners: 1.1
Area of Storage Nursery: 3.5
Social Space: 2.5
Area of Circulation Nursery: 67.2
Social Space: 9.0
% of Grounds Used by Community 0%
% of Buildings Used by Community 0%
Low Carbon Energy Generation N/A
Steps taken to reduce environmental impact Movement sensors on the lighting
Use of district heating