Design of a Nursery with an example to download

Are you planning to design a nursery? In this focus, I propose a typical project with a 3D model to download and use as a guide for designing the nursery. You can also find regulatory references, indications on space sizing, renders, graphs, and the functional layout of a typical project in 3D that you can download for free.

To create the 3D model of the project, I used a 3D/BIM building design software.

Download the 3D model of the project for free (in the Download section) and the trial version of the software, and try to create your own nursery project.

Nursery design | Render created with Edificius

Designing a Nursery: Functional Layout

Tackling the design of a nursery presents technicians with a great moral obligation: to conceive a safe and welcoming space that stimulates children’s creativity and is suitable for new teaching methodologies. The nursery accommodates children aged from 3 months to 3 years and must meet diverse needs for all age groups, with the aim of:

• promoting the psycho-physical development of children
• supporting families, particularly those where both parents work
• promoting equality between men and women in the workplace.

The spaces are designed to stimulate children’s creativity and social interaction. There is no longer just a classroom but rather a unique integrated space where micro-environments, aimed at diverse activities, hold equal importance and exhibit characteristics of flexibility, functionality, comfort, and well-being.

In summary, the environments of a typical nursery layout can be outlined as follows:

Classroom – a space primarily designed for frontal lessons, but it is also an environment that evolves according to needs.

The classroom of the nursery school project | Render created with Edificius

Group spaces – group workspaces should promote a positive atmosphere, adapt to various needs, with flexible furnishings capable of generating different configurations. Sliding walls encourage the involvement of multiple classes in the same activity and can “open” the classroom to common areas.

Project of a nursery school | Render created with Edificius

Laboratory Spaces – the laboratory is configured as the “space for doing” and requires an environment where the child can move independently, activating processes of observation, exploration, and production. In this perspective, the physical space becomes a ‘furnishable space’ that accommodates tools and resources for creating experiential contexts.

Informal and Relaxation Space – spaces for informal learning and relaxation, equipped with bean bags, comfortable seating, or rugs where one can detach from school activities to interact informally with others.

Rest Areas – it is necessary to foresee secluded places equipped with cots and cribs to promote the children’s rest. Sleep and rest, in fact, are fundamental after engaging in intense motor activities and play.

Cafeteria – lunch is a central moment in the daily activities of children. The space dedicated to the cafeteria should be spacious and host tables of adequate size, served by a kitchen area for meal preparation and services for those involved in such activities.

Services – considering the various needs of children from 3 months to 3 years of age, it is necessary to provide varied service spaces such as: changing tables, restrooms for children (of appropriate size) and for teachers, a small laundry (with washers and dryers), changing rooms with lockers and sinks, a infirmary, and storage for toys and strollers.

Administrative Spaces – in addition to the spaces dedicated entirely to children, those for the administration of the nursery should be added: usually offices and meeting rooms.

Practical Example of Nursery School Design

To assist you in designing a nursery school, we thought of proposing a complete example project with a downloadable 3D model for free. Now I will describe the project, its functional layout, sizing, and the guiding idea that led to the generation of the forms and spaces.

The guiding idea of the project is to correspond each function of the nursery with a distinct building body, characterized and made recognizable by shape and color.

Elevation created with Edificius

The result is a collection of elements with simple, elementary geometries, reminiscent of children’s toys, and it presents the image of a almost fairy-tale-like, playful, and colorful village, child-sized.

The entrance to the complex is through a cheerful orange funnel that leads directly into the main body.

The first block, with green cladding, has a rectangular plan and a double-pitched roof, just like the typical house drawn by children. Even inside, colors characterize each room.

Section created with Edificius

From the entrance atrium, access is provided to the common areas and classrooms. There are three sections, one for each age group: infants, toddlers, and semi-toddlers. Each classroom is identifiable by the colors of the walls and floors and has a dual exposure to the outside. The first faces east towards the common garden at the entrance, and the second faces the private patio, exclusively for the children of each individual classroom. This way, even during individual activities conducted inside the classroom, there is a continuous connection with the outside and with nature. The children are thus made comfortable and find themselves in a pleasant, fun, open, and familiar environment.

The classrooms are oriented towards east to fully enjoy the sunlight throughout the morning. Each individual classroom is also designed as an independent unit, each served by facilities such as bathrooms, changing tables, and locker rooms. From the area dedicated to common activities, near the classrooms, access is provided to the dormitory block.

This block, in shape, resembles that of the entrance but is distinguished by its blue color. On the opposite side is the cafeteria, with an attached kitchen and spaces for the staff preparing meals.

All activities for children are arranged on the ground floor and interconnected with each other. The only space that develops on the first floor is designated for administrative and meeting functions and is accessible from the entrance of the complex via an internal staircase and an elevator.

In detail, the building has the following functions, sized for a maximum of 20 children:

• free activities 108.69 m²
• special activities (laboratory/group spaces) 66.00 m²
• table activities 32.56 m²/classroom
• changing rooms and bathrooms for children 10.62 m²/classroom
• stroller storage 8.35 m²
• infirmary 8.35 m²
• cafeteria 53.00 m²
• cafeteria bathrooms 5.45 m²
• kitchen 31.10 m²
• kitchen storage 1.75 m²
• staff bathroom cafeteria 2.50 m²
• staff locker room cafeteria 5.00 m²
• laundry 8.80 m²
• educators’ bathrooms 9.30 m²
• coat rack 8.30 m²
• dormitories 95.60 m²
• waiting/meeting room 50.00 m²
• secretary’s office 15.35 m²
• educators’ office 15.35 m².

Download

Here is, available for free download, the 3D model created with a BIM architectural design software.

Graphic board created with Edificius

3D BIM Model ready for Download

Download the 3D BIM model (.edf file) of the nursery project

Download the IFC model of the nursery project

Download Edificius for free

FAQ – Designing a Nursery

How should the functional layout of a nursery be organized?

The functional layout of a nursery includes: classrooms for frontal lessons, group spaces with flexible furnishings, laboratories for practical activities, relaxation areas, dormitories, a cafeteria with a kitchen, adequate restrooms for children and staff, administrative spaces, and safe outdoor areas. All environments must be safe, stimulating, and functional to the needs of children.

What software is recommended for designing a nursery?

To cover all aspects of nursery design, it is advisable to use BIM software such as Edificius, ideal for creating 3D models, verifying functional layouts, and complying with building and safety regulations.