Garden-Topped Drulingen Daycare in France is Wrapped in a Dainty Wooden Lattice

What kind of learning environment would most people want for their child? A lifeless, boring white building devoid of character, or something more like <a href="http://fluor.fr/">Fluor Architecture's</a> colorful garden-topped Drulingen Creche in France? This intriguing sanctuary for children has a latticed envelope that creates a nurturing, protective environment and encourages creative play. It has also achieved <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efficient_energy_use">significant energy savings</a> - almost by accident - that warrant its status as a "high environmental performance" structure.

This striking creche was built in north-eastern France

The timber lattice acts as an envelope against the elements

Steps lead up to the planted roof

The roofs feature low-maintenance plant species

The garden roof provides insulation and even color to the sanctuary

Stormwater runoff is also absorbed by the plants

Inside the designers have attempted to create a favorable learning environment

There's plenty of color to promote fun and learning

Light wells bring in plenty of natural lighting

A 10% energy savings was achieved almost by accident

Heating is provided by an underfloor system

This is a "High Environmental Performance" building

Siberian larch was used for the timber envelope