Children's Centre Design - Inspired by the Modernist Movement!

PCMS was recently commissioned by Central Bedfordshire Council to take an unused building and bring it back to life for use as a Children's Centre.

The building had been unoccupied for some years and was becoming a target for vandals. As it occupies a prominent position next to Tithe Farm Lower School the potential was there to create something to enhance the street scene, and improve the appearance of the school site generally.

The inspiration for the building design was the modernist and cubist art movements of the 20th century. The clean white lines, cube-shaped geometric forms and muted colours of the render in white and grey reflect this, and the modern 'Tithe Farm' inscription down the side of the building echoes that on the Bauhaus design school building in Dessau.

Internally, the building has a large multi-use space for the Children's Centre which has slim line black sliding doors down one wall with views to the green space at the rear of the building, and which provide easy access to the garden during the warmer months. Also on the ground floor is a lobby area and separate kitchen, and on the first floor are administration offices that have a welcoming and bright atmosphere.

The design brief required that the building serve two functions - that of a centre for young families to visit and also as an administration base. A skilful design solution was therefore devised to allow two separate entrances. The building also has an integral canopy which wraps around the building and enhances the overall design. Contemporary seating bollards close to the front entrance reflect the cube theme, and the exterior landscaping is enhanced with basket-weave block paving. All services have been carefully concealed.

The photos show before and after views of the new Children's Centre.