The specific focus of this project related to the involvement of the Church as principal sponsors, demanding a treatment that engendered a sense of community, humanity and citizenship.
The spatial constraints of the site and the need to accommodate 1000 children at all ages demanded an intense use of the available area, including roofs. The architecture, developed by FCB studios, maintains a degree of transparency at ground level so that the ground plane continues through the building and out into the adjacent teaching spaces, increasing the apparent spatial volume.
Roof areas were developed to provide a range of teaching habitats. These ecology rich habitats contribute to a sustainable drainage strategy and improve building performance. The incorporation of brown roofs alongside pre established green roofs will enhance the sites biodiversity and provide a valuable teaching resource. The specification of these roof systems employs recycled building waste and compost developed with specialist manufacturers.
Boundary treatments were a key consideration in the development of educational sites, particularly when juxtaposed with dense residential accommodation. Solutions need to be developed that deliver a level of security whilst avoiding the stockade approach which is the default position at many educational sites. Similarly the requirement for full accessibility is an overriding concern which needs to be considered as a fundamental part of the design process.
