Cypress Children's Centre: Transformation and extension of an existing nursery into a welcoming, inclusive family centre

Cypress Children’s Centre is a sensitive and ambitious transformation of an existing nursery building into a vibrant early years and family hub. Located on a steeply sloping, woodland-surrounded school site, the existing structure was retained and integrated into a new composition of pitched roof volumes. The architectural strategy embraces and rehabilitates the existing building by exposing its original roof trusses, introducing generous rooflights, and improving natural light throughout. A series of new pitched extensions define rooms of varying scales and volumes, each with a strong spatial identity. Covered play terraces and wide thresholds blur the boundaries between inside and outside, encouraging fluid, all-weather use and strengthening the connection to the landscape.

Crucially, the new extension opens up parts of the site that were previously inaccessible, transforming disused grounds into a vibrant space for outdoor learning, play, and wider community use. The building now supports a broad range of services for families, from pregnancy through to age twelve, enabling the school to act as a vital support hub within the neighbourhood. The material palette and robust detailing respond to both the children’s needs and the building’s civic role. Recognition of the project’s impact came through an RIBA Award and nominations for Brick and 3R Awards, with the school’s headteacher also nominated for the RIBA Client of the Year - a testament to the deep collaboration and vision behind the project.