Designed around the concept of free play, and situated within the historic grounds of the University of Edinburgh, Arcadia Nursery was developed in partnership with staff to create a preschool with a seamless transition between indoors and outdoors.

This multi award winning project has been highly influential in the development of the early years curriculum for learning outdoors. erz worked closely with Fraser/Livingstone Architects to create a building and series of gardens connected by view lines, axial paths, and decks/balconies – all at a child’s scale.

The gardens get wilder the further from the building you go, formal play leads into the treehouse garden, with wild meadows beyond, all under the canopy of seventeen historic veteran trees.

Awards & Mentions
  • Scottish Design Awards 2015
  • Wood for Good Award 2015
  • Royal Incorporation of Architecture Scotland Award 2015
  • RIBA Award 2015
  • Landscape Institute Awards 2015
Client
University of Edinburgh

Bespoke artworks featuring children’s drawings, retained historic features, and a serpentine timber tree house combine to create a unique garden for play and learning.