HERITAGE & HISTORIC (INCLUDING ADAPTIVE RE-USE) SUPPLEMENT
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The central atrium was one particularly complex aspect of this flexibility, surrounded in glazing and allowing views into many of its surrounding classrooms. This atrium was intended to combine three key functions – a library, a dining area and a science demonstration space – the architects “engaging heavily” with the school to achieve this.
Long conversations Within these “long conversations,” says Steve, the structural engineers were closely involved to ensure that the end result was achievable: “There are a number of components to the atrium – a ‘floating box,’ which houses the demonstration space, the bridges that link in, and there’s the roof around it – that meant there were a lot of difficult connections for the team to get their heads around.” Viola agrees, adding: “it was probably the most complex space of the school structurally.” In the end, their goals were achieved. Steve believes this is in part due to the team starting out with a “very clear concept for the building,” which was retained throughout, and the collaborative process with the school and the construction and design teams. “We had to make sure the design was flexible, and could evolve with the process,” he adds. “Conversation was key.” There were some constraints that
ADF APRIL/MAY 2020
cropped up of course, including the designers “having to accept” a column to hold the atrium up from the ground floor. “There was a really nice process with the end user to understand and try to meet their ideals as much as possible, but within the constraints,” says Viola. “It’s a very enthusiastic school, headteacher and school trust; they have a very strong ethos and drive.”
While the design process was centred around making the building necessarily dense to incorporate the functions required, this also had to be done without obstructing the available natural light as much as possible – something the architects were very passionate about.
Daylighting
“Daylighting is of course one of the most important aspects of architecture in general,” says Viola, explaining the building’s glazing and its take-in of natural light, “especially for education.” As such, the architects designed as many opportunities for daylighting throughout the building as possible.
The central atrium is the outstanding example of this – the extensive glazing around it bringing daylighting not only into the space itself, but into the classrooms and labs facing it.
Other areas however proved more difficult to light, where there was no way to provide openings towards the natural
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DAYLIGHTING
The architects designed as many opportunities for daylighting into the new extension as possible
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