The Ark Brunel Primary Academy scheme maximises the use of the tight urban site, creating a replacement 3 storey school with increased external space provided both at ground and roof levels.
We worked closely with the school teachers and pupils, running a series of workshops to ensure that the new designs worked hard to include as many multi-functional ‘external classroom’ spaces as possible, creating a cohesive series of external spaces that positively support the educational needs of the school.
In the early years playground, an adventure trail winds through a bamboo ‘jungle’, whilst a ‘living fossil’ ginkgo tree planting provides shade over a multi-purpose performance stage.
In the upper years playground, a woodland shade garden sculpts the space into a series of outdoor classrooms, with seating elements incorporating original Victorian school ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ keystones.
A mini orchard and productive garden with insect log wall, raised vegetable planters and a greenhouse ensure that children in this dense urban setting get good access to nature and growing space. A biodiverse roof terrace adjacent to a covered learning terrace ensures that the value of absolutely all areas of green space within the scheme are maximised as restorative and learning opportunities for the staff and pupils.
Best Education Building LABC Awards 2015
