The Rooftop Nursery in Ottaway Street, Hackney has won both a RIBA 2007 National Award and a Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award.

Designed by WHAT architecture and built by Sandwood Construction, the scheme was constricted by a limited budget and a tight urban site. The cheapest materials available were used, with the structure being made of concrete blocks. The limited space was utilised to its best advantage by a lack of internal fixed walls and a playground on the roof. Sliding partitions divide the interior into 50 potential configurations. Instead of using expensive linings, the internal walls were brightly painted. The roof features the UK’s first granulated rubber roof so children can play safely. The scheme, completed in 2005, provides a functional, inventive and cheerful solution to the problem of inner-city childcare. 

The RIBA award is one of only 14 awarded this year, and Sandwood gained a PM award as one of the 18 shortlisted projects. For a £330,000 project to win not one but two prestigious awards is a major achievement.