This established secondary school was expanding with 300 additional pupil places. Our brief was to add 14 new general teaching spaces, a new assembly hall, a Learning Resource Centre (library) and a new visitor entrance, as well as refurbishing existing specialist teaching areas.
During early dialogue with the school the need for a civilising courtyard space was identified. On an already tight site we boldly created a new ‘quad’ for the school. It immediately became a great hit with the students as a place to socialise, be seen and hang out.
The wings of the L-shaped new building form two sides of the new courtyard and are built with a steel frame expressed into the court as external walkways. These wings have a hard brick outer shell and a raw and edgy internal feel. The more permeable inside edges to the courtyard have a soft and transparent lining of timber and glass.
Martin Amos, Head Teacher reflects that:
the courtyard…
has become a focal point in the school
See it for yourself, in our film about the school’s transformation.