We were employed to design a new build two-storey children’s centre and refurbish an existing single storey foundation unit. The contemporary design uses a palette of blue engineering bricks at low level for durability, with larch timber cladding at high level and to the soffits of the overhanging roof. The roof is clad in Falzinc and overhangs towards the street entrance to offer weather protection to the ramped access. The new building is of timber frame construction and highly insulated. A combination of this with a heat recovery system helps to reduce energy demands. The deep overhang and metal louver system, shadows the internal rooms from overheating in the summer, whilst letting the winter sun permeate into the building for passive solar heating.