The site is located in Woolwich, South-East London. Woolwich’s lack of public outdoor spaces is a concern as this affects not only the adults but also children, as it is crucial for them to be active from a young age. To be outside in fresh air, exercising all their body parts, to socialize and to learn from each other. My design thesis provides an alternative solution to the lack of spaces for children in Woolwich. The city can be a safer and more fun space to live and grow up in for kids. The proposal is putting the children at the centre of urban and architectural design. The project is a model for a better day care system with equal parental responsibilities, spaces for older children and youths as well as highlighting potential urban sites for new public playgrounds for a more children friendly city.
I created a business plan to ensure the scheme works, taking inspiration from Park Slope Food Coop in Brooklyn, New York, a community organisation that has no employees and is entirely run by its members. The coop relies on members working a specific number of hours a month in return for shopping fresh, seasonal produce at reduced prices. I applied this principle to childcare, what if parents could contribute a small amount of their time in return for a more affordable daycare?
The landscape of the site is redefined with different uses, there is an allotment on the North West of the site for adults and kids to interact with each other. There are two playgrounds, the one to the West of the building is a private playground area used by the nursery. The one on the East side is a public playground with a sitting area designed to be used by the local children and their parents. The proposal consists of two buildings housing multiple programs such as a nursery, spaces for the community, workspaces, youth club and a cafe. There are also multipurpose spaces that can be rented out for local community events.