UEL Primary School

Add To Collection

UEL Primary School

Type

Educational › Elementary School Other

SIZE

300,000 sqft - 500,000 sqft

BUDGET

$10M - 50M

This new primary school for 630 pupils and 39 Nursery places is a striking design with a strong theme which involves organising the teaching spaces around a covered courtyard, together with the large hall located in within it the courtyard forms an inspiring heart to the building.

The Hall will be visible from outside, rising above the roof of the school and also clearly visible through the largely transparent entrance which in turn is located on the axis of the civic square, a very important feature of the adjacent housing development. The design represents a coherent set of proposals with the organisation of the school clearly reflected in its form.

The form of the building and grid will allow all rooms to be naturally lit and ventilated, support dialogic teaching and is consistent with the scale of its surroundings.

Our initial review of the scheme suggests that it would achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating. One of the main design driver when establishing the scheme’s concept is to be naturally lit and ventilated. The modern method of construction we propose, a mixture of crosslaminated timber horizontal and vertical panels and glulam timber beams and columns is probably the most sustainable method available in the industry. High insulation coupled with the courtyard arrangement will minimise energy consumption. Renewable energy will be provided by solar panels, linked to the district heating scheme. The eastern and southern elevations will be shaded with semi-mature trees. The western elevation will benefit from overshadowing from existing trees and surrounding buildings while the south-west entrance is protected by elegant tensile structures.