CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) and the DfES (Dept for Education and Skills) launched a Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative national design competition, seeking imaginative and high quality designs. There were 3 award winning projects and Hoyle Early Years Centre, designed by dsdha Architects, was the 1st of the projects to go live.

Following a rigorous 2 stage tender and interview process, McGoff and Byrne emerged as the preferred bidder and more importantly the builder which the entire team wanted to work with, the Architect and the Head-teacher fronted the interview panel.

Through early collaboration with the whole Integrated Supply Team (IST), the project went through detailed design and value engineering. The Architects vision was discussed at a series of meetings with the IST and budgets were set for each of the project elements, as the project had funding restraints. All costs were reviewed and subsequently the project was delivered on time and to budget, resulting in maximum benefit for the project stake-holders, particularly the children.

The school were housed temporarily in a series of portable buildings on the neighbouring park. Two small structures were demolished and replaced with a new teaching block, taking on much of the same footprint. This is linked to the main building by a glass framed library creating an internal courtyard.

The new building is an extremely efficient steel and timber framed hybrid, well insulated structure, clad with a combination of imaginative materials including dry stone walling, steel mesh, render, all topped with clerestory glazing allowing the light to flood into the building. The sophisticated design of the building integrates the indoor and outdoor space and caters for the particular needs of children, especially the autistic children who need a calming environment. The building is energy efficient and well insulated resulting in reduced life cycle energy performance costs.

The project has was highlighted by CABE in a HM Government paper in 2006 entitled ‘Better Public Building’ which extensively features the promotion of good design and its impact on the community and building users. The paper also contains a section on delivering good design, highlighting Impact, Build Quality, Functionality and Achieving Excellence as the key factors.