New Rest Valley Crèche

New Rest Valley Crèche 

The MAAK

New Rest Valley Crèche
© Kent Andreasen

ARCHITECTS
The Maak

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
Graham Lowden Mechanical Engineer

BUILDING CONTRACTORS
Bl Williams

CLIENT
The Vuya Foundation

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Jo Lubbe

FIRE ENGINEERS
Neil Moir And Associates

DONOR FUNDING
R5,500,000

PROJECT PARTNERS
Rotary Club Of Newlands, Rotary Club Of Pinelands, Coca Cola Peninsula Beverages, The Albert Wessels Trust, University Pre-primary, Stonehage Fleming, Africa Aweee, Tile House, Corobrick, Floorworx

PROJECT LEAD
Rotary Club Of Newlands

COST CONSULTANTS
Bd Projects

PHOTOGRAPHS
Kent Andreasen

AREA
318 M²

YEAR
2023

LOCATION
Riebeek-kasteel, South Africa

CATEGORY
Educational Architecture, Day Care

New Rest Valley Crèche
© Kent Andreasen

Constructed in 2023, the New Rest Valley Crèche is the first completed formal public infrastructure in New Rest Valley near Riebeek-Kasteel, South Africa.

The proud new educational facility sits adjacent to a public park and a piece of land earmarked for the development of a religious building. This well-located scheme forms a critical part of what will become a valuable social corridor for the recently established community.

New Rest Valley Crèche
© Kent Andreasen
New Rest Valley Crèche
© Kent Andreasen

Built-in collaboration with the Vuya Foundation and the Rotary Club of Newlands, the completed project includes 3 fitted classrooms (catering for ±90 children), a covered playground area, kitchen, reception area, admin office, ablutions, suitable storage, and a caretaker flat.

Simple lines and strong forms make the scheme clearly identifiable from afar. Standing tall above a setting of one-storey self-built homes, the facility is a landmark feature in the area and offers valuable civic pride for the community.

New Rest Valley Crèche
© Kent Andreasen
New Rest Valley Crèche
© Kent Andreasen

The project is easily defined by its over-sailing saw-tooth roof. The dynamic roof element rises towards the South, allowing soft light to fill the classrooms, while carefully designed roof punctures are placed above an outdoor play area to the North.

Tall Wild Pear trees grow through these punctures, and help to keep the covered playground shaded and cool. The playful integration of nature into the scheme is one of the ways in which this project is unique.

New Rest Valley Crèche
© Kent Andreasen
New Rest Valley Crèche
© Kent Andreasen

An intricate breeze block wall lines the North edge of the building and neatly separates the scheme’s playground from a parallel street. To the East, the project opens to the neighborhood with a comfortable covered entrance patio and wrap-around public bench.

On the first floor is a caretaker's flat with windows that overlook the public park and broader community. Clear visual queues and passive surveillance from above help keep the facility and its immediate surroundings secure.

New Rest Valley Crèche
© Kent Andreasen
New Rest Valley Crèche
© Kent Andreasen

With the building’s footprint maximized, the architectural envelope becomes more than just a skin or wall; it is the project’s security boundary, its front door, and the means through which the architecture is carefully integrated into its neighboring context.

Color is carefully used throughout the scheme to create a fun and child-friendly atmosphere that helps breathe life into the surroundings.

New Rest Valley Crèche
© Kent Andreasen
New Rest Valley Crèche
© Kent Andreasen
New Rest Valley Crèche
© Kent Andreasen


New Rest Valley Crèche
© Kent Andreasen
New Rest Valley Crèche
© Kent Andreasen
New Rest Valley Crèche
© Kent Andreasen
New Rest Valley Crèche
© Kent Andreasen


New Rest Valley Crèche
Plan - Ground Floor
New Rest Valley Crèche
Plan - 1st Floor
New Rest Valley Crèche
Plan - Roof
New Rest Valley Crèche
Plan - Site


New Rest Valley Crèche
Concept Sketch
New Rest Valley Crèche
Concept Sketch


New Rest Valley Crèche
East Facade Study
New Rest Valley Crèche
North Facade
New Rest Valley Crèche
Typical Short Section