A crimson, pink and orange entrance pops against the white exterior of Multi-childcare Crèche in north-eastern France, completed by local studio Dominique Coulon & Associés.

Surrounded by maples, cherry trees and Japanese spiraea at the gateway to the town of Illzach in Alsase, the nursery and pre-school provides childcare for 50 children between the ages of 10 weeks and three years.

Dominique Coulon & Associés has completed a nursery and pre-school in France

The upper level of the 705-metre-square Multi-childcare Crèche is designed by Strasbourg-based Dominique Coulon & Associés to resemble a “giant sculpture”, with clean lines and white walls to fit in with its urban environment.

This is underpinned by a colourful base to the building, with bright pink and vibrant orange elevations.

Pink and orange surfaces define its base

The bold colour palette signals the entrances of the building, which is positioned at the plot’s corner with a generous forecourt to welcome the public and a meet-up spot beneath a majestic horse-chestnut tree.

“Thanks to our dynamic colour palette that makes use of natural light and proportions, we have created a user-friendly learning facility where children and staff alike can thrive,” the studio said.

There is a double-height, vermilion-hued hallway

Inside, colour is given even greater reign. Multi-childcare Crèche’s entrance opens out into a double-height, vermilion-hued hallway used for drop-offs and pickups and a stage area with red stepped seating for shows and readings.

This space stretches up to a cylindrical skylight with sky-blue circles.

“This hallway is the beating heart of the crèche. It is a playful space that connects to all the sections of the architectural programme, so we were able to forego corridors,” Dominique Coulon & Associés added.

Soft pink is used across one of the activity rooms

The multi-purpose lobby provides access to the various classrooms, which face south and have large windows to maximise natural light.

Other facilities include activity spaces for babies, toddlers and older children, a dormitory for naps, a dining room and kitchen, and offices for staff members. One activity room is coated in soft pink.

The creche is full of child-friendly details, including step-up changing facilities and low-level lockers.

Completing the project are what the studio calls “open-air cocoons”, where the building’s shell extends beside the gardens to offer protection from the wind and roads.

“They offer children a pleasant environment worthy of their high level of energy,” said Dominique Coulon & Associés.

Large windows draw light into the classrooms

Bold use of a red and pink colour palette has become something of a trademark for Dominique Coulon & Associés, which has used the shades to add drama and contrast on a number of cultural and education buildings across France.

White concrete volumes concealed the red and pink interior of its theatre in the former mining town of Freyming-Merlebach, while similar vivid hues were also used on the detailing of a cluster of schools located just outside the French capital.

Elsewhere, C+S Architects recently completed an Italian nursery with a red concrete wall engraved with animals while Andblack Design Studio created a preschool in India with parametric forms topped by greenery.

The photography is by Eugeni Pons.

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