The new Sure Start facility is built as an extension to the original Overdale Community Centre; the sole community facility in a large area of post war local authority housing.

The new mono-pitched building turns its back to the road, where a long blue wall overshoots the building at both ends, physically and psychologically sheltering a protected environment from the road and the climate.

A new glazed entrance lobby serves both the existing community centre and the new Sure Start nursery.

Forming an L shaped plan with the existing community centre, the new building encloses a sheltered toddlers playground in a south facing sun-trap. The roof rises to the south, where high level bullseye windows cast a moving pattern of sun spots inside the building.

Deep overhanging eaves, and a canopied play area prevent excessive solar gain in the south facing elevation.

The Carpenter Family Centre
is the first new built Sure Start facility in the country, and is a pioneering example of the Government?s anti-exclusion strategy.

The building design incorporates a number of passive and active environmental features which will reduce running costs and minimise harmful emissions.

The building is orientated to open to the south in order to gain maximum benefit of sunlight and warmth, whilst utilising deep eaves and a canopy to prevent excessive solar gain.

The north elevation has low eaves and a thickly insulated wall, with minimal window openings.

The roof is constructed from uncoated profiled aluminium sheeting, which is 100% recyclable.

The building is insulated to a higher standard than required by the building regulations, and is heated by an underfloor system which permits the floor to act as a low temperature radiator. This provides added comfort for small children, and avoid the danger of burns from hot pipework and radiators.

The children's play area is provided with a self-draining rubberised macadam safety surface, which is manufactured from recycled car tyres