Lanterns Children’s Centre
Lanterns Children’s Centre provides an inclusive 55-place pre-school setting for 0-5 year-olds, with additional integrated therapy and parental support services for families, particularly those caring for a young child with special educational needs.
The design demonstrates a sensitivity to the building’s occupants, context and environment at three levels: firstly, the needs of the children for a child-centred environment in which to play and learn; secondly, the need to respect and enhance the environment of the site and its physical context and, thirdly, a construction approach that incorporates sustainable design principles for the benefit of the wider environment as a whole. Throughout, materials are selected to give an overall softness to the environment, sensitive to the age and needs of the children.
Many features are specifically designed to suit the ergonomics of the children: slim-line pull handles on certain doors sized to fit the children’s grip and height; a low-level fish tank; deep, low window sills; low basins with single control taps; a secret mouse-house, glass block peepholes and a mirrored box-window.
Spaces are scaled to give children a variety of experiences, from intimate wall seats to high-ceilinged halls. Similarly, a central circulation zone with wet areas and subterranean soft play space is articulated with a cooler colour scheme to counterpoint the rest of the scheme. The wellbeing of the staff and adult visitors is also carefully addressed, providing break-out spaces with a sense of domestic familiarity.
Soft colours, balanced natural light, up-lighting and good acoustic absorption to the playroom ceilings overlay these ideas to create a calming, nurturing, multi-sensory approach to inclusion at Lanterns, where the building, gardens and interior become more than merely the sum of the parts. Its spirit embodies the staff’s deeply rooted teaching philosophy of respect for, and empowerment of, every child.
