Scotland

Gold star for Les Enfants Nursery

Les Enfants Nursery

The beautiful Les Enfants Nursery in Inverurie already has a string of prestigious titles to its name. In addition to being shortlisted as a finalist in the NMT Awards – Nursery Design 2011, the development also received a Commendation Award at the Aberdeen Society of Architects Design Awards.

Les Enfants Nursery could now be the recipient of an additional accolade, after being shortlisted for the Aberdeenshire Design Awards.

Les Enfants Nursery

Eleanor Alexander, Project Architect for William Lippe Architects Ltd, commented:

“It is an honour to be nominated for such a prestigious award, and everyone is very excited. This was a brilliant project for me because I had free reign to come up with something imaginative and interesting that would stimulate the children. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work on such a fantastic development, and to know that my work is appreciated just makes everything even more worthwhile.”

 Les Enfants Nursery

The project began in May 2009 and Les Enfants Nursery was completed in May 2010, with Tor Ecosse Ltd as the main contractor.

Centred around two key concepts of ‘fun’ and ‘scale’, the two-storey nursery has incorporated a range of exciting features that have made it welcoming for the children. Stripes, curves and bold colours have created a fascinating elevation, whilst the haphazard positioning of small square windows provides a view for children of all ages. Interestingly, a corporate logo handprint theme runs throughout the building, including the entrance gates and the safety railings for the first floor balconies.

Les Enfants Nursery

The nursery boasts a variety of large open-plan spaces, including a pirate themed soft play area and dedicated wet areas for messy activities. Small projecting snugs offer cosy areas for quiet time or exploration, whilst the soft play area features a substantial amount of glazing to offer views out over the external play area.

A dedicated parent room provides state-of-the-art IT facilities, whilst the nursery staff can benefit from a naturally lit staff room with kitchen facilities and its own patio area. As safety and security are crucial, access to the nursery is managed by reception staff and a meet and greet system in the spacious foyer.

Les Enfants Nursery

To celebrate two years since opening, Les Enfants Nursery held an open day on May 12th 2012. The exciting event included raffles, a bouncy castle and face painting, whilst visitors were also treated to a delicious barbeque.

About the author

Roma Publications