TINTAGEL SURESTART

The Tintagel SureStart Centre in Cornwall occupies a restricted site to the front of the Primary School, dominating the view from the approach to the village.

Several context models were made to get a building form that worked with the different sizes of the neighbouring buildings, and minimised the impact on this important landscape. The chosen solution is inspired by a neighbouring farm whose central house is surrounded by a one-storey high wall which hides its out-buildings.

The SureStart building encloses the important community and nursery spaces in a traditional ‘Cornish farmhouse’ with proportions that match the neighbouring cottages. The ancillary rooms are enclosed by a contemporary interpretation of the Delabole Slate walls surrounding the farm.

The colours of the tiles, inspired by the local slate, give the SureStart a strong presence at close quarters, yet disappear into the landscape when viewed from afar.