20 Looking to the future
Vivalda discusses how a creative cladding system transformed a Northern Irish primary school, using engraved volcanic rock panels to create a striking facade that celebrates diversity, local history, and hope.
pupils from different religions, cultures and backgrounds. For the new building (which opened in late 2024), it was important to create a shared vision for all involved – and this unusual facade now acts as a keynote element of the new development. Faced with the design and construction of a new school, the leadership team was keen to create a legacy for the old school, while embracing the idea of a fresh chapter. As part of that process, Belfast-based ‘graphic recorder and visual facilitator’ Stéphanie Heckman, who has worked with UNESCO, Friends of the Earth and the British Red Cross, was asked to create several feature facades for the building.
C
reative cladding has been instrumental in the aesthetic of a unique school project, that refl ects
its history, while pointing to a vibrant future. Using Rockpanel volcanic rock cladding, Mill Strand Integrated Primary School in Portrush, Northern Ireland, has created a stunning effect to create a unique and highly personal statement of optimism and inclusion.
Designed for their impact resistance,
non-fl ammable properties and cleanability, this facade product is often specifi ers’ fi rst choice for schools, colleges and other public sector projects. In the case of Mill Strand, the material’s non-linear structure made it ideal as a blank canvas on which to convey the rich history of the school, as well as its role as a beacon of hope and inspiration for pupils, teachers and parents alike. First opened in 1987, the school enjoys a mix of
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Recently retired head of Mill Strand, Philip Reid, said: “Every school is unique, and more than a building, it is a community. In leaving the old school behind, it was important that the ethos, values and history of the school were preserved and articulated. This rich tapestry needed to be transformed into concise and impactful facades, and literally ‘set in stone,’ using images captured through the life of the school, local landmarks and key quotations, including Mill Strand’s four core values.”
The vision to create Stéphanie Heckman commented: “I’d never worked on something of this scale before, or on something with such lasting impact and which clearly meant so much to the client. The murals tell the story of the school’s founding, the special connection teachers and pupils felt with Mill Strand, the beach where the school was originally sited and named after, and the core values that drive the staff – in short, the heart and soul of the school.”
Born out of the Good Friday Agreement, Integrated Schools in Northern Ireland support an ethos of diversity, respect and understanding across cultures and religions and between those of different socio- economic backgrounds and abilities.
ADF MAY 2025
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