The Giraffe Childcare Centre, a facility comprised of 60 beds and a nursery school for 20, is located in Boulogne-Billancourt, a district in the South West of Paris. It was designed by the Paris based practice of Hondelatte Laporte Architects who hoped to bring an element to fun to the local urban landscape.

The bright white metal cladding of the three level structure provides a perfect setting for the animal theme of the design, perhaps a metaphor for the ‘urban jungle’. A huge bright yellow giraffe stands at the entrance of the centre and appears to be supporting the overhanging section as it emerges curiously from the roof.

Each level of the facility has its own playground and animals, a white bear and a group of concrete ladybirds are creatures which stimulate the imagination of children and make this an attractive destination for them. In addition to the colourful fun aspects of the centre, equally important is the element of sustainability of the structure which was awarded a ‘Zero Energie Effinergie’ rating for its environmentally sound design.