Working on educational projects is always a deeply rewarding challenge for an architect. It invites us to reflect not only on the purpose of space but on its long-term influence — how design can nurture curiosity, language, imagination, and the attitudes of future generations. In this sense, it feels like laying foundations not just for a building, but for learning and community itself.

The Raphael Nursery in Clapham, recognised among the Top 20 Nurseries in London for 2024 by Daynurseries.co.uk, recently underwent a major retrofit that has also contributed to improving its Ofsted rating. The project is the result of a close and collaborative process aimed at repurposing an existing building sustainably, while enhancing the wellbeing of the children, staff, and the wider community it serves.

The brief called for almost doubling the available floor area. After initially exploring the option of raising the roof, we opted for a more sensitive approach — introducing a new mezzanine level within the existing volume. This solution allowed us to retain the building’s character, minimise waste, and achieve a more sustainable construction process. The replacement roof, slightly higher than the original, now encloses a bright, uplifting interior with improved insulation and ventilation.

Today, the nursery accommodates up to 90 children plus staff, with dedicated spaces for play, rest, learning, and support functions — including a professional kitchen, outdoor play areas, sleeping rooms, and staff facilities. Crucially, all asbestos was safely removed, ensuring a healthy environment for both children and educators.

The project was carried out in close partnership with the Church, which owns the site, and the family-run bilingual French–English nursery operating within it. Despite a constrained budget and a complex site, the shared vision was clear: to give back a healthier, safer, and more energy-efficient building to the local community. The success of this project is a testament to the collaborative effort among the client, design team, engineers, planners, and contractors — and above all, to the belief that architecture can positively shape the places where learning begins.