Converting a barn into a Nursery......help?

[Katymac]

I am looking at (maybe) converting a barn into a daycare Nursery

It is built of breeze blocks and has some sort of asbestos/concrete roof

It is not connected to the mains for anything

I would like to consider fairly green ways of converting it

Any ideas where to start

Obv I will contact the planning dept to see if it's possible before I commit to anything - and I uess I will get a structural engineer/architect involved with regard to the asbestos roof ect

I'm just fishing for ideas really

There are loads of green building type websites out there if you google -as you are starting from scratch you could do so many energy saving things, I guess it will be very expensive but with a lot of things you might get some of your money "back" over the years (eg. water harvesting -costs about £3000 but you will save some money on water bills as rainwater is re-used to flush toilets).

As a first step what about a book like this

Sorry -meant to add that I'll ask DP later if he has any advice as hes a carpenter/builder with an increasing interest in green building issues

I like that - but I also found this

I have seen one in North Wales, we just drive past. It looked lovely, had lots of outdoor activity things like slides, swings, frames. havent clue what the barn is like inside. But defo thought good idea. Good luck

ha ha I read thought you meant nursery as in bedroom for a baby. I thought well I know some people don't like their baby in their bedrooms but a barn seemed a little far away!

My baby is nearly nine...a little old for a nursery perhaps?

I guess the asbestos is a problem

How much is a new roof?

Asbestos needn't be a problem but you will need a chap to come round and check it and tell you if it's ok. If it's properly sealed asbestos can still be safe, it's only if it's falling to bits / been drilled through / sawn up etc it starts getting nasty.

Aren't there different types? (different colours?)

I wonder which sort roofs are made of? (is that how you spell roofs/or is it rooves?)

this is pretty good re asbestos

Thanks - I've had a read

I think I might need a new roof

Hmmm

Windows
Roof
Floor
Water
Electric
Phone
Doors
Patio doors
Kitchen
Toilets/disabled toilets/childrens toilets

What other basics do I need?

Not a basic I know...but, have you thought about a mini sensory room?

Great idea - we try to do lots of sensory stuff within Birth to Three - whether we can have a dedicate space or not will be a long time away from deciding

I've also done some Highscope work - which I'd like to use if poss

We know have grey water recycling and rain water harvesting

It has been suggested that I insulate with straw bales then lime render - but I'm a bit frightened about how much floor space I will lose

and a ground source heat pump ....is apparently very efficient

katymac -really spooky as I'm just back to post DPs ideas and you've basically just put them in your last post!

He said that the breeze block walls provide your outer shell so you just need to build an inner skin and suggested the bales idea (great insulation!). Harnessing the heat from the earth was another suggestion along with solar panels. Sheeps wool is another great natural insulation.

Grand Designs have covered the straw bale idea and the ground source heat so you might find something on their website.

Does anyone know how big a straw bale is???

I think Straw bales are out - but Recycled paper or wool are possibles for insulation

Underfloor heating which is great for the kids and means no radiators to worry about and you can have a floor that is easy to clean and sterile. Know someone who converted a old barn and this is the first thing they did.

With what sort of floor covering

I have it with tiles but I don't think that would be practicle with a nursery

Sorry for the delay. You can have underfloor with wood laminate I know for sure. That's easy clean and looks great. They use something that looks like an electric blanket which is put under the floor onto of the insulation. That is then connected into a thermostat so it's on off high/low etc. B&Q and places like that sell the mats by the metre I think. How about painting a wall with chalkboard paint too. Great way for the children to express themselves without any problems. Good luck by the way I think it's an excellent idea.

Laminate is quite slidy

I will have a blackboard wall (both inside and out)

ATM I am concerned with the bricks & mortor so to speak

I know you're still on bricks and mortar, but remembered that these people have some very handy ideas for laying out nurseries (link on bottom right of page), including tips for architects that are worth taking into consideration before the build gets underway.
Their products are gorgeous too but have prices to match!

Lovely...but prehaps out of my range

Maybe a few key bits?

It was the "Birth to Three - A guide to room layout and equipment choice for young children" that I found interesting - the concepts are all applicable even if you don't have the cash for their special bookcases etc.
The PDF download has a fantastic bit where they start with an empty square room and work out what should go where.