Devlin Architects designed new facilities for the children of Eaton Socon Pre-School and completely transformed the old and dysfunctional site into a beautiful, functional and award wining building. Lunawood Thermowood was selected as the façade material for this project, which has been embraced by the entire community and has received several RIBA awards.
Simon Devlin, the architect responsible for the project, knows the background of the preschool very well as his child studied there. The deep knowledge of the customer and end-user needs facilitated project planning. The design of the pre-school is based on a courtyard arrangement with the three large classrooms having level access to the outside. It was designed it so there were no south-facing windows or doors to gain heat ensuing that it is thermally comfortable year-round.
Natural Lunawood Thermowood façade
Choosing the right wood material for the facade was essential with the architect tested 15 different options before choosing Lunawood Thermowood. It was chosen because it is stable and doesn’t warp and move as natural cladding might do over time. The architect's also valued the rich colour of Lunawood Thermowood because they wanted it to contrast against the black cladding used elsewhere in the project.
The black Lunawood Thermowood cladding and black rubber roof act as a background for the splashes of colour on the exterior and the fenestration to punch through and engage with the surroundings. The interior of the open courtyard is a direct contrast with a natural Thermowood background that will allow the splashes of colour and dappled light under the canopy to add an element of playfulness to this sanctuary. The staff and children have all been using the building since the initial opening and have relished the extra space and bright airy interiors.
Lunawood’s official partner, Millworks Ltd, made sure that the materials were delivered on time and properly installed.
